Latest Seattle bust could be 26th for some suspects
Sep 17, 2015, 5:00 PM | Updated: 5:37 pm
Officers arrested 20 of 24 drug dealers identified by officers and witnesses this week, the police department reported Thursday. Eight of the suspects have been arrested more than 25 times. (File photo)
(File photo)
Months of undercover work by the Seattle Police Department is paying off.
Officers arrested 20 of 24 suspected drug dealers identified by officers and witnesses this week, the police department reported Thursday. Eight of the suspects have been arrested more than 25 times.
The three-month operation began in June, when officers started investigating open-air drug dealing in the University District after residents and businesses expressed concerns. Undercover officers made controlled purchases of a variety of narcotics, including methamphetamine, cocaine, heroin, pills and, on occasion, fake drugs. Detectives also purchased marijuana from dealers that didn’t have proper licenses to sell.
Over a two-day period, police arrested 20 suspects on drug charges. Many of those arrested had prior convictions.
As part of the department’s operation, police are working with the community and Seattle Department of Transportation to making changes along University Way, including limiting access to alcoves and alleyways used by drug dealers.
