Operation Blue Anvil Results in 129 Arrests on 272 Drug Related Charges

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INDIANA STATE POLICE
PERU DISTRICT
1451 N. Eel River Cemetery Road 
Peru, IN 46970

www.in.gov/isp

FOR RELEASE: Upon Receipt

CONTACT:
Sgt. Tony Slocum
Public Information Officer

765-473-6666

DATE 7/10/2017

Operation Blue Anvil Results in 129 Arrests on 272 Drug Related Charges

Miami/Fulton Counties – Recently, nine departments in north central Indiana teamed up for six days to help stem the flow of illegal narcotics into Hoosier communities.  

Officers from the Indiana State Police, the Miami County Sheriff’s Department, the Logansport Police Department, the Peru Police Department, the Fulton County Sheriff’s Department, the Cass County Sheriff’s Department, the Wabash County Sheriff’s Department, the Grant County Sheriff’s Department and the Rochester Police Department utilized marked and unmarked police cars to conduct saturation patrols on U.S. 31 in Miami and Fulton Counties.  Patrol officers were augmented by K-9 officers utilizing narcotic detecting police dogs.  

Officers dubbed the unannounced six day patrols “Operation Blue Anvil.” 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 utilize the road 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. 

June 19 through June 21, and June 26 through June 28, officers teamed up to make 129 criminal arrests on 272 different drug related charges. Forty-eight of the charges were classified as felonies. Officers also issued 193 traffic citations and 511 written warnings. There was also three driving while impaired arrests. During the six days, officers located cocaine, heroin, LSD, methamphetamine, marijuana, psilocybin mushrooms, edible marijuana food, MDMA, prescription medication, and numerous drugs that have yet to be identified. They also located drug paraphernalia. All of the contraband was found during traffic stops made by the various police departments.  

“This is the eighth straight year we have organized summer driving season kickoff patrols,” stated Indiana State Police Sergeant Dan Prus, who organized and oversaw the patrols. “Summer is a peak travel time with an increased volume of people traveling thought-out Indiana. Police officers want the patrols to serve as a reminder to drivers to follow all traffic laws for the safety of everyone utilizing Indiana’s roads. The patrols should also serve as a warning that police officers will utilize all of 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 any 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.

 

Blue Anvil

Numerous drugs found during a traffic stop

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Trump shaped ecstasy pills.