The article follows my LTE.

From: Richard J. Rawlings

Sent: Tuesday, February 07, 2006 11:40 AM

To: 'forum@pjstar.com'

Subject: LTE

Replying to: Cocaine arrests top group's list Feb. 7th 2006

I liked how MEG director, Larry Hawkins used the words "probably because".

Then he goes on to say, "Our officers are better trained, blah blah blah"

They may be better trained, but this has nothing to do with the rise in cocaine arrest each year. The reason for the increase in arrest is do to the US Governments horribly failed drug policies.

The drug war has gone on for over 90 years now, and there are more drugs in the America right now then ever before in America's history. The United States is busting at the seams with illegal drugs. We can't get enough of them, and no law enforcement agencies are going to stop the flow of these drugs in the United State's no matter how many non-violent people they want to lock-up so you the tax payer can pay to house them in a prison somewhere.

Sure officer Larry Hawkins is going to put spin on it, and tell you what a wonderful job they are doing with more arrest every year. This is because he wants to wake up tomorrow still employed, and have you the tax payer cutting him a pay check on Friday.

Wake up America; this is a health issue not a criminal one. Regulate, educate, and stop incarcerating the non-violent citizens of America.

Richard J. Rawlings

US Marijuana Party (IL)

1022 Collins Ct.

Bartonville, IL. 61607-1714

Phone: 309-633-1023

Email: richrawlings at cannabisactivist dot us

Cocaine arrests top group's list

More than 40 percent of Multi-County Narcotics Enforcement Group's arrests are for cocaine

Tuesday, February 7, 2006

By Leslie Williams

of the Journal Star

PEORIA - Cocaine arrests made by the Multi-County Narcotics Enforcement Group led last year's total number of drug arrests by 42 percent.

The unit, also known as MEG, started 411 investigations resulting in 330 drug arrests and seized $136,000 worth of drugs. Of those arrests, 140 were for cocaine possession.

In 2004, drug arrests reached 288, with 125 being for cocaine.

"We notice a slight increase every year," said MEG director Larry Hawkins of the number of arrests. "Probably because of our agents. We get new agents, and as they get trained, they get better at their jobs and produce more."

Police officers from five counties - Peoria, Tazewell, Knox, Marshall and Stark - make up the group.

The agents work undercover to reduce the amount of drugs being distributed.

They entrench themselves in the drug trade, befriending those whom they later will arrest. Informants also assist agents by supplying them with tips.

The majority of the 2005 arrests were in Peoria, Hawkins said.

"Whether we arrest someone in Tazewell, Marshall, Stark or Knox counties, we can trace it back to Peoria," Hawkins said.

Next to crack cocaine, marijuana dominated the group's arrests last year.

Forty-six people were arrested for marijuana, up 14 from 2004.

The group made a point this year to record the exact number of gang members arrested, something it had not done in earnest in years prior.

"There's not any more (gang members arrested) than in the past, but we just did a better job tracking them," Hawkins said of the 63 arrested in 2005.

Also in 2004, MEG officers made 99 methamphetamine arrests and dismantled 62 meth labs.

The number of meth arrests dropped more than half to 43 last year, and the group did not clean up meth labs.

"In 2005, Illinois State Police put together meth response teams," Hawkins said of the drastic drop. "They do the dismantling of meth labs and investigations of those."

The number of heroin arrests also fell significantly, with only four being arrested in 2005 compared to 20 the year before.

Spiking the number of arrests for psilocybin mushrooms and LSD was the bust that netted 29 arrests of festival-goers at a Memorial Day weekend music bash, called Summer Camp 2005, held at Three Sisters Park in Chillicothe.

About $23,000 in narcotics and cash was seized.

Drugs such as marijuana and cocaine are readily available in Peoria and surrounding communities because of the accessibility to major interstates and proximity to Chicago, Hawkins said.

"Most of the dope comes directly from Chicago and lands in Peoria," he said.

"It's dispersed from there."

Though Hawkins couldn't predict if cocaine will continue to be a popular drug in 2006 or if agents will beat last year's number of arrests, he said the group will remain committed to cleaning up the streets.

"Whatever is out there that people are using to get high, we will continue to work hard and conduct our investigations," Hawkins said. "If people choose to traffic illegal narcotics in our counties, one day we will show up and arrest them."

Leslie Williams can be reached at 686-3188 or lwilliams@pjstar.com.