USA - Public tips help HPD bust $10,000 worth of LSD [Hattiesburg]

[chillinwill]

Hattiesburg police on Friday arrested 11 people and seized close to $10,000 worth of LSD during an investigation that stemmed from public tips.

Police confiscated 175 LSD tablets and more than 5 ounces of the hallucinogenic drug from five separate residences in central Hattiesburg.

"We don't see that very often," said Sgt. Mark Denny, commander of the department's Neighborhood Enhancement Team, which led the investigation.

Denny said police also seized more than $6,200, five guns and more than eight bags of marijuana worth $500. Police also confiscated $300 in methamphetamines.

Charges against the 11 suspects ranged from sale of a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance and possession of precursors, he said.

Spokesman Synarus Green said police are not identifying the suspects arrested because the case remains under investigation.

Green said police are trying to identify the distribution source and users of LSD within the city.

"For the identity (of ) a rare drug, namely LSD, there is a concern," he added.

Denny said the department first learned of the drug through public tips and later sent a confidential informant to purchase the drug.

"It starts from surveillance and leads to informants - that's how we ended up going to five different residences," Denny said.

He said the NET team was assisted by members of the 12th Judicial District Narcotics Enforcement Team.

BY EARLESHA BUTLER
November 1, 2008
Hattiesburg American
http://hattiesburgamerican.com/artic...811010319/1002