Daylong drug-crime sweep focuses on young adults

SAN DIEGO (CNS) – Twenty-three young adults were arrested Thursday during a
daylong sweep focused on drug-related crimes in the East County, authorities
announced.

The sweep, dubbed Operation Tip the Scale, has been conducted more than
a dozen times throughout San Diego County in the past three and a half years,
but Thursday's arrests marked the first time offenders ages 18 to 24 were the
focus, according to the county of San Diego Methamphetamine Strike Force.

The focus was chosen in an effort to intervene early with offenders who
often turn to crime to support their drug addiction, sheriff's Sgt. Chris May
said in a statement.

During the sweep, more than 100 officers from law enforcement agencies
and the Metropolitan Transit System patrolled known hotspots for drug-related
crimes in Santee, Lakeside, El Cajon and La Mesa, and the trolley line that
connects each of the communities. They also checked in on probationers and
parolees to see if they were in compliance with the rules of their release.

Twelve of the 23 arrested were taken into custody on suspicion of
felonies and 11 were for misdemeanors, May said, noting every suspect was
offered a chance to talk to a drug treatment counselor and three people were
taken directly to treatment facilities instead of jail.

“At the command post, drug counselors personally spoke to 23 offenders
about their drug problems, the impact of drug addition on their lives and ways
each of them can get help and stay clean,” May said.

In addition to the arrests, more than a half-ounce of methamphetamine,
more than $1,500 cash, a sawed-off shotgun and various drug paraphernalia were
seized during the operation.