HARRISBURG – The Pennsylvania State Police made 64 arrests, took 19 fugitives into custody, recovered $45,000 worth of stolen property, and seized vehicles, drugs and cash during a four-day crackdown last week, announced Commissioner Frank E. Pawlowski.
“Operation Maximum Effort was aimed at removing criminals, fugitives and drugs from our highways,” Pawlowski said of the May 18-21 initiative. “At the same time, we wanted to take an aggressive, proactive approach to traffic law enforcement efforts as we enter the summer driving season.”
Pawlowski said troopers seized $36,976 in cash, nine vehicles, nearly 120 grams of powder and crack cocaine, 7,150 grams of marijuana, 50 ecstasy pills and 1,250 packets of heroin. They also detained two illegal aliens.
State police made 52 arrests for driving under the influence and issued 918 citations for speeding, 119 for seat belt violations, 14 for failure to use child safety seats, and 720 for other traffic law violations.
Pawlowski said seven teams of troopers were placed on major highways across the state as part of the operation. Each trooper received training through Operation SHIELD, which teaches officers how to identify potential signs of criminal activity after a vehicle has been stopped for any routine violation, such as speeding. State police canine handlers and their drug-sniffing dogs were assigned to each team, he said.