Local police forces concluded a four-month undercover operation Tuesday with the apprehension of 17 suspects on a variety of drug distribution charges, including crack cocaine and marijuana dealing.
Police also are investigating and plan to serve several more warrants to area offenders as part of Operation: Fall Round-Up.
With the help of the Bureau Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, Jefferson Area Drug Enforcement Task Force officers focused their investigation on open-air markets in various neighborhoods, mainly around central Charlottesville.
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The investigations leading up to the arrests were conducted by JADE, a multi-jurisdictional task force with participation from the University, Charlottesville, Albemarle County and Virginia State Police forces.
Police primarily focused their operation on small street market dealers who sell single hits of crack cocaine and small bags of marijuana for individual use. Those arrested are not big dealers, usually selling drugs only to maintain their own habits, said Charlottesville Police Lt. Robert E. Frazier, Jr., a JADE commander.
"While drugs are not a big problem [in Charlottesville], it is an issue that generates further crime," Frazier said.
Although police did not confiscate large volumes of illegal substances, officers are hopeful that the 17 arrests will serve as a deterrent for other local dealers.
"When you get market dealers off the street, other dealers are afraid of getting caught as well," he said.
None of the people arrested - ages 18 to 40 - are affiliated with the University.
Police used non-uniformed officers and department informants, as well audio and video surveillance for the undercover mission.
With more manpower, officers and research capabilities, JADE agents have been far more successful since pooling their efforts to curb drug abuse, Albemarle County spokeswoman Lee Catlin said.
Originally, JADE aimed to create "a regional task force to deal with drug issues against the city, county and University," Catlin said. "We were often getting jurisdictions crossed, so we created a regional effort."
Since JADE's formation in 1995, police have arrested an average of 150 and 220 people per year related to drug use and distribution.
"They've put more of a focus on illegal drug activity and have made violations more visible," she said. "It's been a good effort. It brings a lot of resources together we weren't tapping before"
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