An undercover, three-week-long operation in Riverside called “Street Sweeper” has led to more than 100 arrests on suspicion of selling drugs, thefts, drug possession and other crimes, police said.
Officials said community members and businesses recently had complained to police about increased criminal activity.
In response, Riverside police conducted the undercover drug-purchase operation along the Magnolia Avenue corridor between Van Buren Boulevard and Pierce Street.
Officers tracked 46 different purchases of methamphetamine, fentanyl, cocaine, PCP, and other drugs, they said. Police officers coordinated a three-day arrest operation for the 44 people suspected of selling drugs, police said.
Of the drug dealers identified, police said, 33 were arrested and booked into the Robert Presley Detention Center last week on suspicion of drug sales. The other 11 accused drug dealers are still wanted on felony drug-sales charges, police said.
According to a Thursday statement by police, 71 other people were also arrested and booked into jail:
- 15 for violation of parole, probation or post-release community supervision
- 21 for outstanding misdemeanor warrants on suspicion of shoplifting, petty theft, trespassing, possession of drug paraphernalia, illegal possession of controlled substances, or being under the influence of a controlled substance
- 32 for suspicion of trespassing, public intoxication, possession of drug paraphernalia or illegal possession of controlled substances
- 3 for having felony arrest warrants
Nearly all of the suspects said they were transients living on the streets and in motels along Magnolia, Thursday’s statement said.
“Medical aid and police calls for service along the Magnolia Avenue corridor immediately and significantly decreased,” the Riverside police statement said.
