Bill Text: MS SC618 | 2010 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Recognize Morton Police Department for seizure of illegal drug money on Interstate 20.
Sponsorship: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1)
Status: (Failed) 2010-04-23 - Died In Committee [SC618 Detail]
Download: Mississippi-2010-SC618-Introduced.html
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2010 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Montgomery
Senate Concurrent Resolution 618
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING AND SALUTING THE OFFICERS OF THE MORTON POLICE DEPARTMENT FOR A SUCCESSFUL ARREST AND SEIZURE OF ILLEGAL DRUG MONEY ON INTERSTATE 20.
WHEREAS, the Morton Police Department, led by the sharp investigative efforts of Officer Josh Hayman and his K-9 companion Officer "Solo," made a successful search and seizure of $672,439.00 of assumed illegal drug money from an 18-wheeler stop on Interstate 20 on January 21, 2010; and
WHEREAS, "When Officer Hayman's drug dog Solo was alerted by a hidden panel on the truck," explained Chief Nicky Crapps, "the Pelahatchie Police Department was called for backup until our officers could get there to assist him"; and
WHEREAS, upon investigating where Solo had indicated drugs, the driver and passenger were arrested and taken to the Morton Police Department for questioning; and
WHEREAS, when the panel was removed from the back of the cab, stacks of money in marked plastic bags were discovered. To the amazement of the officers, $672,439.00 in mostly small bills was concealed in the hidden space. According to Chief Crapps, "We believe this is illegal drug money"; and
WHEREAS, Solo is trained to smell drugs, not cash. He smelled drugs, either traces in the compartment where the money was stored, or on the cash itself. The 18-wheeler was traveling from North Carolina to California with a load of 16 pallets of dried peanuts; and
WHEREAS, Chief Crapps said, "It is common knowledge that drugs such as marijuana, cocaine, heroin and meth travel from the West Coast to the East Coast, and the money travels back from the East Coast to the West Coast. We strive to make Morton and Scott County a safer place. With this money we can better fight illegal drug activity here at home"; and
WHEREAS, members of the Morton Police Department involved with the $672,439.00 seizure from an 18-wheeler stopped on I-20 by Officer Josh Hayman and K-9 Officer Solo include Officer Henry Minor, Officer Carlos Dipuma, Investigator Steven Crotwell and Chief Nicky Crapps; and
WHEREAS, Investigator Crotwell said there will be charges pending against anyone coming forward to claim the $672.439.00, which will include trafficking. According to Mayor Greg Butler, the Morton City Council decided to annex a larger area of I-20 to help control the trafficking of drugs on the interstate. "I want to commend these officers for doing a good job in patrolling the Morton city limits area of Interstate 20. Their diligence made this seizure possible. I also want to commend Chief Crapps for his leadership of the police department by allowing the interstate to be patrolled"; and
WHEREAS, it is with pride that we recognize the role and support given by each officer involved in this action on Interstate 20, in an effort to maintain the peace and safety of the citizens of Mississippi:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby recognize and salute the Officers of the Morton Police Department for their role in the successful arrest and seizure of illegal drug money on Interstate 20 on January 21, 2010, and extend our commendation to these law enforcement professionals for their continued successful efforts to eliminate illegal drug trafficking in this area of our state.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to the Officers of the Morton Police Department, forwarded to the Mayor and Board of Aldermen of Morton, and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.
