Thread: Update

Latest News - Posted 1:14 P.m.
FM police: Drug arrests only the beginning
By Ed Johnson
ejohnson@news-press.com
Originally posted on May 07, 2007

In the wake of the city’s biggest single drug enforcement operation, Fort Myers officials concede there is still a lot left to be done.

At a morning press briefing Fort Myers police Chief Hilton Daniels said investigators plan to build on information developed in a recently concluded eight month undercover investigation to target bigger offenders and suppliers.

“These investigations never stop,” Daniels said. “You continue to build on the information you receive.”

Police are continuing to track eight people still wanted on drug charges, stemming from Operation Palm Beach Boulevard, Daniels said.

Twenty three people have already been arrested and more than four kilograms of cocaine were seized in the investigation that culminated in a series of weekend raids and arrests, he added.

City officials must now weigh what steps to take against the four businesses police said were fronts for drug traffickers.

Those restaurants and bars, Tropical Nightclub, Las Duenas Lounge, Club 809 and El Coqui, are all located along a mile strip of Palm Beach Boulevard in east Fort Myers.

Daniels said they could face closure under the city’s nuisance abatement ordinance.

Chief Assistant U.S. Attorney Doug Molloy pledged his office’s assistance for the city’s efforts.

“We want the message out there that if you get involved in dealing drugs getting arrested is not a chance. It is an eventuality. You will be caught,” he said.

Meanwhile, Immigration officials are examining their options with those arrested.

“Most of those arrested are legal permanent residents,” said Brendan Quigley, a representative of Immigration and Customs Enforcement. “Upon their convictions they will most likely be deported.”

City Councilman Johnny Streets, himself a retired city police officer, was almost wistful as he assessed the arrests.

“We let them know it’s not business as usual,” he said. “But we have to educate our children and our community that drugs are not acceptable.”

http://www.news-press.com/apps/pbcs.dll ... 60005/1075

“Most of those arrested are legal permanent residents,” said Brendan Quigley, a representative of Immigration and Customs Enforcement. “Upon their convictions they will most likely be deported.”

Those "legal permanent residents" show a lot of respect for our laws, don't they?

So do they lose their legal status if they are convicted?

This story is an update to this:

http://www.alipac.us/modules.php?name=F ... ic&t=62576

dragonfire, normally updates to a specific story are listed under the original story - cuts down on the confusion.

Thanks for the correction MW. Unintentional error