POLICE ARREST SEVERAL MEMBERS OF A DRUG RING WHO WERE TRADING CRACK FOR EBT CARDS (FOOD STAMPS)

Crack For Food Stamps Arrests

Duluth police announced today they’ve arrested 30 people and are hunting for several more in connection with a crack cocaine ring. Those involved with the drug ring were in the habit of exchanging crack for EBT cards, law enforcement officials say.

Fittingly, the Duluth PD’s nine-month investigation of the ring was called “Operation Crackdown.” In connection with the investigation, police searched seven Twin Ports properties — six in Duluth and one in Superior. Arrests were made in both cities.

Information about the crack-for-EBT scheme comes via the Duluth News Tribune:

During the investigation, task force investigators identified a trend in the narcotics trafficking — trading so-called food stamp or EBT/SNAP cards in exchange for crack cocaine.

“These trades were made at rates equal to approximately 50 percent of the face value of the card. Crack cocaine with a street value of approximately $100 was purchased with cards holding benefits equal to $200,” police said in this morning’s release.

Several of the suspects in this case face charges related to trafficking crack cocaine and wrongfully obtaining public assistance.

“The fact that this case involved food stamp benefits being traded for narcotics makes it all the more egregious,” the release notes.

WDIO reports that “Many of those arrested have significant criminal histories, including one with a homicide conviction who was allegedly found in a Central Hillside residence where two handguns were concealed in ceiling tiles.”

 Police have arrested 30 people in an alleged crack cocaine trafficking ring in Duluth and Superior, Wisconsin.

The arrests came this week after a nine-month investigation dubbed “Operation Crackdown.”

Investigators say suspects were trading crack cocaine for government food-assistance debit cards at about half the face value of the cards.  Investigators say they used decoy cards to conduct controlled buys of crack cocaine.

Lieutenant Steve Stracek, commander of the Lake Superior Drug and Violent Crime Task Force, says alleged dealers would either go to the store with the buyer and buy groceries with the cards, or they would force the buyer to prove the card still had money, and then take the card.

WDIO-TV reports authorities are seeking another 10 suspects.