News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 29, 2004

DEA Detroit Joins Forces To Improve Public Housing In The City Of Detroit

SEP 29-- On September 22, 2004, members of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Unified H.I.D.T.A. Task Force joined with members of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies throughout Detroit to conduct Phase I of “Operation Clean Sweep”. Operation Clean Sweep was an effort of over 100 police officers converging on the crime infested Brewster Douglas public housing complex to arrest and remove subjects already wanted for various criminal offenses ranging from weapons violations to drug trafficking. These persons had been previously charged in either state or federal court and failed to show up for court appearances. Many of these subjects had simply returned to Detroit’s public housing and resumed their criminal activities.

In conjunction with the federal Housing and Urban Development Authority (HUD), the DEA is helping to implement the federal “one strike rule” wherein subjects arrested for criminal activity that reside in federally subsidized public housing can be evicted. The DEA and HUD see this as an important step in improving the quality of life for Detroit’s 4,000 public housing residents. On the first day of Operation Clean Sweep, thirty-five (35) wanted subjects were arrested and transported to state and federal courts.

DEA Detroit Special Agent in Charge John P. Gilbride considers enforcement efforts in Detroit’s public housing areas to be an important element of DEA’s plan to have a significant local impact on the quality of life for the residents of the City of Detroit

Law enforcement agencies participating in Operation Clean Sweep include:

Housing and Urban Development Authority
U.S. Marshals Service
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives
Michigan State Police
Wayne County Sheriffs Department
Michigan Attorney Generals Office
Detroit Police Department
Redford Township Police Department