Last Updated on June 25, 2023 by Indiana State Police
North Central Indiana – Recently, eight law enforcement agencies in north-central Indiana teamed up for three days to enforce traffic laws and help stem the flow of illegal narcotics into Hoosier communities.
Officers from the Indiana State Police, Miami County Sheriff’s Office, Fulton County Sheriff’s Office, Cass County Sheriff’s Office, Wabash County Sheriff’s Office, Kokomo Police Department, Logansport Police Department, and Galveston Police Department utilized marked and unmarked police cars to conduct saturation patrols on U.S. 31 in Miami, Howard, and Fulton Counties. Patrol officers were augmented by K-9 officers utilizing narcotic-detecting police dogs.
Officers dubbed the unannounced three-day patrol “Operation Blue Wave.” The goal was to enforce traffic laws and catch individuals who utilize Indiana roadways to transport and distribute illegal narcotics. U.S. 31 was chosen because a large volume of motorists use this roadway to travel through the heart of northern Indiana. Officers wanted to serve notice that as the summer temperatures increase, so will their vigilance in keeping illegal narcotics from reaching Hoosier communities.
From June 20 through June 22, officers teamed up to make 54 criminal arrests on 174 mostly drug-related charges. Twenty-seven of the charges were felonies. Officers also issued 60 traffic citations and 215 written warnings. There was also one driving while impaired arrest. During the three days, officers located cocaine, LSD, methamphetamine, heroin, marijuana, psilocybin mushrooms, edible marijuana food, MDMA, THC oil, ketamine, prescription medications, and drug paraphernalia.
“This is the eleventh year we have organized a summer driving season kickoff patrol,” stated Indiana State Police Sergeant Andrew Smith, who organized and oversaw the patrol. The Indiana State Police want to remind drivers to follow all traffic laws for the safety of everyone using Indiana roadways. Summer is a peak travel time with an increased volume of motorists and this patrol should serve as a warning that officers will utilize all the resources at their disposal to catch and arrest the few who transport illegal drugs.
Citizens are encouraged to call their local law enforcement agencies with information about the possession, distribution, or selling of illegal narcotics. Information can also be reported anonymously by calling the Indiana State Police Drug and Gang Hotline at 1-800-453-4756.
All criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
SOURCE: News release from Indiana State Police