By ROBIN SHANNON

L’Observateur

HAHNVILLE – A year-long undercover narcotics operation that has netted dozens of accused street level dealers in St. Charles Parish has earned the accolades from local CrimeStoppers officials.

The St. Charles Parish Sheriff’s Office Special Investigations Division received the CrimeStoppers Law Enforcement Award for their efforts during the recent “Krewe of Dope” initiative. Sheriff Greg Champagne and other members of the Special Investigations Division accepted the award at a CrimeStoppers Luncheon March 16 in New Orleans.

Just before Mardi Gras, the Sheriff’s Office began executing 97 arrest warrants for street-level drug dealers in the parish as part of the “Krewe of Dope” investigation.

Champagne said as of Monday all but a handful of those wanted drug dealers remain at large. He said many who have yet to be caught have fled the parish thinking they were on the list. The operation involved the use of substantial resources including deputies, detectives and undercover officers loaned to St. Charles by other law enforcement agencies.

“Most of the targets of this operation were some of the most prolific street dealers we have,” Champagne said. “Many have arrest records that include dozens of arrests for all types of offenses, including drugs, illegal narcotics dealing and usage.”

According to Champagne, illegal drug trafficking is directly or indirectly responsible for much of the crime experienced in St. Charles Parish, including thefts and burglaries. He said this illegal activity also reduces the quality of life for residents who have to put up with these dealers in their neighborhoods.

“The Special Investigations Division of the St. Charles Parish Sheriff’s Office worked countless hours making and putting these cases together so that hopefully, this Krewe of ‘Dopes’ can be taken off the streets,” Champagne said.