Johnson Co. officers round up over 50 in drug sweep

FRANKLIN, Ind. (WISH) - Authorities in Johnson County spent the day rounding up more than 50 alleged drug dealers. They said its one of the most important things police and prosecutors can do.

Franklin police took to the streets starting at six Friday morning. The prosecutor said 75 to 80 percent of the wanted suspects were home when police arrived with arrest warrants. One of those arrested was Brandon Hughes, who was shocked to find police at his door with a warrant.

"There's no way. There's no way. There's no way." he repeated to police.

Hughes, 20, is one of more than 50 felony suspects the Franklin Police Department and the Johnson County Prosecutors Office have targeted in a year-long drug investigation. He's wanted on a warrant for selling prescription drugs.

Arrests like Hughes' were made possible by earlier arrests of those wanted on minor drug charges, said Johnson County Prosecutor Brad Cooper.

Cooper said, "We'd start using information from those arrests to basically work ourselves up the food chain of the drug world."

Money from the prosecutor's office, the Franklin Police Department and drug awareness groups bought audio and video equipment that helped the investigation nab suspects early on and move up from there.

"The little guys give up the bigger guys. Those big guys give up their bigger guys and we keep working in that direction until we get to this day," said Cooper.

The charges include allegations of dealing meth, cocaine, heroin, prescription pills and marijuana.

But even after a year, making the arrest is just another step in the process.

Next, the prosecutor will have to prove the cases in court. The prosecutor said that will be easier thanks to the undercover audio and video equipment.

Prosecutor Cooper said there is no connection among the 50-plus suspects. There's not one "drug kingpin," just a bunch of alleged drug dealers, who are out of business in Johnson County.