BSO Prostitution, Drug Sweep Nabs Hundreds
FORT LAUDERDALE (CBS4) - Broward Sheriff's deputies conducted a major crackdown on crime in South Florida.
Deputies prowled the streets on a two-day operation to get prostitutes, drugs and guns off the streets.
They made 200 arrests.
"It's your robber, your burglar, your thief, a lot of people hooked on drugs," said Broward Sheriff's Captain James Fondo. "We're taking them off the street and trying to get them the help they need."
Deputies confiscated marijuana, crack and prescription drugs. They also took 15 guns off the streets.
"Taking one gun off the street makes me believe we're saving somebody's life," Fondo told CBS 4's Carey Codd.
They arrested one man -- Rodly Virgilie -- on charges of possessing crack cocaine.
Another man - Timothy Young - was also busted on drug charges. Deputies say Young sold crack cocaine out of a vacant Pompano Beach apartment. They recovered dozens of pieces of crack cocaine, a tech-9 gun and cash from the apartment. Deputies say he even kept the items in a Huggies diapers box to throw off suspicion.
Near the apartment sat children's bikes and tricycles. Sgt. Eddie Grant said the arrest was important.
"There's kids out there and families that are stuck living there and can't call the police," Sgt. Grant said. "They're like prisoners in their home."
BSO conducted the sweep dubbed "December Cold" along with the DEA, FBI and several local police agencies.
"Criminals have no chance against us when law enforcement agencies stand together to fight crime," Sheriff Al Lamberti said in a statement. "I commend everyone who worked so hard on this successful operation."
In addition to the multiple felony arrests, deputies and officers shut down marijuana grow houses, confiscated 15 firearms, as well as pounds of marijuana, cocaine and illegal prescription pills during the operation.
