The Daily Collegian Police crack down on drug deals, usage in Centre County Task force From Page 1. has just begun and they are as busy as ever. Operated by the Attorney General's office, the Centre County Drug Task Force consists of police officers from several counties and includes Patton, Ferguson. Bellefonte and Spring townships, in addition to the Pennsylvania State Police. Randy Feathers, regional direc tor of the Attorney General's Office, said the task force exchanges informants, and his office provides each county with marked money to buy drugs for undercover operations. Although each has its own juris diction, all the police share infor mation when it comes to drugs. Feathers said that's why the ii to . Uf against drugs in Centre County has been so effective. Centre County The main drugs that are pres ent in Centre County are marijua na and cocaine. Feathers said. "State College is not immune to the problem of drugs," he said. "If people stick their head in the sand and think there isn't any drug problems in Centre County then _^ROLEX kranich; FINE jEWELERS Logan Vahey Mall 944.5454 • Johnstown Galleria 2627166 Downtown State College 23-1.4481 • Nittany Mall 234.0637 ★ ★ they are just fooling themselves.” In fact, State College Police Department Capt. Dana Leonard said authorities have been work ing harder than ever to combat drugs in the county. “The drug task force is as busy as it’s ever been,” Leonard said. “I don’t know if there is a greater availability or cheaper price.” He added that drugs are usually transported in bulk from New York or Philadelphia, as was the case in a recent bust. Five men were charged Dec. 1 in connection with operating a $1 million drug ring police said dis tributed hundreds of ounces of cocaine from Delaware County and Philadelphia to the State College area. Edwin Rhoades, 38, James Losch, 47, Brian King, 27, Hasan Bradley, 29, and Andre Spangler, 30, were all charged in connection with operating the drug ring, according to a press release hum Pennsylvania Attorney General Tom Corbett’s office. State narcotics agents estimate the men were responsible for bringing about $1 million dollars worth of cocaine into the Centre County area since 2008. Agents suspect the organization distributed about 20 pounds of cocaine since the SINCE 1 903 ★ ★ LOCAL investigation began in 2009. Each of the five men faces simi lar charges, including criminal conspiracy, criminal use of a com munication facility and corrupt organization. Penn State Penn State Police Deputy Director Tyrone Parham said stu dents are not exempt from the problems of getting involved with, and even dealing, drugs. “Some students don’t even real ize that they are drug dealers until they’re caught,” Parham said. “You put 40,000 college-aged kids in an area and it is going to hap pen.” Parham said students are most often caught with marijuana. They often don’t consider themselves to be dealing drugs, but rather “help ing out friends,” he said. “In many cases over the years, students and their parents are often surprised that they’re being charged with a felony,” Parham said. “They don’t realize the seri ousness of selling drugs to oth ers.” Many start by selling drugs to their friends and then eventually friends of their friends, Parham said. They eventually branch out and start selling to more people. On April 27, Penn State student TA Y kA.; • - Great Gifts all on America's Best 3G Network EW! DROID erizon Wireless - C r ioogle Search?" 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Best 3G network based on having the nation's largest and most reliable 3G network. Google, Google Search, Google Maps' and Android Market are trademarks of Google, Inc.® 2009 Verizon Wireless. CPLT Paul R. Spara was charged in con nection with a widespread drug conspiracy aimed to distribute “mass quantities” of marijuana throughout State College, police said. Spara, 23, of 161 Gressley Road, Ruffs Dale, and New York resident Jason Remington distributed more than 400 pounds of marijua na with an estimated street value of $1.2 million, according to court documents. Spara then supplied marijuana to three other stridents, who in turn sold the drugs to other stu dents, police said. Spara now faces several felony charges and has had his trial post poned three times because of pos sible plea negotiations, according to court documents. Ripple effect Leonard said Centre County residents endure other crimes such as theft and burglary as a result of drugs in the county. “People addicted to cocaine resort to crime or drug dealing themselves because they can’t afford pay for their own drug addiction,” Leonard said. “Many people will sell themselves to keep up with addiction.” Parham said Penn State Police have seen increases in thefts on fist 7 £&■*:. Jf verizonwireless.com/holiday v *sit any Communications Store Wi-Fi capable. Ultraresponsive. Tons of apps. ‘~f OQ 5279.99 2-yr. price -$lOO mail-in rebate debit card, f ,* ' Free phone must be of equal or lesser value. Requires * * a voice plan with email feature per smartphone. v-$. Wednesday, Dec. 9, 2009 I 5 campus to support drug habits. “In the past, we’ve arrested non-students in Rec Hall and IM Building who were stealing wal lets out of gym bags to support their habit,” Parham said. Centre County District Attorney Michael Madeira said students who sell or plan to sell drugs should think twice a drug charge remains on your record forever. “A lot of students don’t realize it’s a felony,” Madeira said. “A felony never comes off your record. It can affect your gradua tion and your chances of getting a job.” King said most of the drug users he’s encountered are people who’ve had family problems and emotional or mental issues in the past. In the case of the heroin addict, King said the man came from a broken home and had an abusive father. Although the man he counseled has since recovered after a few relapses and saved his marriage, his struggle shows the difficulties in conquering an addiction, King said. “He still struggles, but he’s clean now,” he said. To e-mail reporter: pppsol7@psu.edu VOth Oflwireless The multimedia phone with the brilliant touch $299.99 2-yr. price - $lOO mail-in rebate debit card. Requires a voice plan with email feature. 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