On Tuesday, July 21st, 2015; several local, state and federal law enforcement agencies set out to serve various active warrants throughout Michigan City and La Porte County during Operation Drug Dealer Reduction. During this warrant sweep initiative, the second of 2015, Thirty-Seven (37) individuals were taken into custody on outstanding warrants.
This warrant sweep was organized by the Fugitive Apprehension Street Team (F.A.S.T.) which have been credited with arresting 348 individuals, totaling 649 criminal charges since January of 2015.
Assisting from the Michigan City Police Department were the Fugitive Apprehension Street Team (FAST), Street Crimes Unit (SCU), Detective Division, Patrol Division, Traffic Division, and Division of Professional Standards (DPS). The Michigan City Police Department would not be able to conduct these warrant sweeps without the assistance of our supporting local, state and federal law enforcement partners. Assisting with this morning’s events were: La Porte County Sheriff’s Department, Indiana State Police, United States Marshal’s Service, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, United States Drug Enforcement Administration, Jasper County Sheriff’s Department, Long Beach Police Department and the La Porte County Prosecutor’s Office.
In the months leading up to this warrant sweep initiative, Detectives of the Michigan City Police Department’s Street Crimes Unit secured sealed illegal drug dealing warrants on 23 individuals who were included in this sweep. Some of the primary focus over the past several months for SCU has been the illegal distribution of narcotic pain medication, such as Vicodin, OxyContin, Hydrocodone and Suboxone. The addiction to prescription painkillers has become increasingly prevalent in La Porte County and elsewhere throughout the United States, which have increased the likelihood of overdoses and the abuse to Heroin.
SCU and FAST would like to extend a special thank you to the Honorable Judge Michael Bergerson, Deputy Prosecutor Rob Neary and the rest of the staff of the La Porte County Prosecutor’s Office for all their time preparing and presiding over the numerous probable cause hearings in preparation for this warrant sweep.
Chief Mark Swistek was very pleased with the results of the sweep. More arrests are expected as a result of this initiative and Chief Swistek encourages any citizen with any information into criminal activity or the location of wanted fugitives to please provide that tip to the Michigan City Police Department by calling the Crime Tip Hotline at 219-873-1488 or by sending us a message on Facebook or Twitter. Please remember that individuals can remain anonymous.