Valentine's Day raid closes drug houses

NIAGARA FALLS, N.Y. (WIVB) - Authorities in Niagara Falls delivered a direct hit in the war on drugs in a crackdown that stretched across the city, busting three suspected drug houses along the way.

Citizen complaints led to the search warrants, which were executed on Valentine's Day.

Niagara Falls Police Capt. James DeMarco said, "They recovered some crack cocaine, a quantity of marijuana and we did recover a gun. And guns off the street are always good."

Narcotics detectives raided a building on Ashland Avenue, which was in deplorable condition according to the police report. The structure was condemned by city inspectors.

"One of the places had been used not only to sell narcotics but it was also a place where people were smoking crack cocaine. So it was a place that we needed to not only get those people out of there but to board it up," Capt. DeMarco said.

Search warrants were also executed in the 500 block of Memorial Parkway, and a location on Falls Street near 24th. Police say they uncovered a small marijuana growing operation inside an apartment.

Mayor Paul Dyster credits residents with calling in tips.

"We believe that the strength of the police department ultimately begins with its roots in the community," Dyster said. "For every one of these drug houses that we take down, there are a hundred or more neighbors that are ready to high-five us because we made a difference in their lives."

But police say these types of investigations take time. Just because you don't see a police response the next day doesn't mean they're not on it, building a case.

Capt. DeMarco said, "As we get more complaints we'll keep looking at these places. And then of course the narcotics people will prioritize, and we'll take them down as we can."

These are quality of life issues, according to Dyster, and he says every time police make a dent, it's a victory. Dyster says this is just the start of a renewed emphasis on these issues.