Posted on 12/09/2005 4:24:09 PM PST by elkfersupper
A dramatic drug bust at two Aspen restaurants busy with the après ski crowd has created a rift between the two major law enforcement agencies at one of Colorado's premier ski resort towns. Fifty-three officers from a number of law enforcement agencies, some with guns drawn, stormed into two Aspen restaurants during the busy after-ski time last Friday.
The raids happened shortly after 4 p.m. and netted about 2 ounces of cocaine, $3,000 in cash, nine arrests for drug involvement and 11 for immigration law violations.
Pitkin County Sheriff Bob Braudis, an opponent of the "war on drugs" who believes education and treatment are better answers to drug abuse, didn't know about the raid until after the fact, even though his jail was packed to overflowing.
"The sheriff should have been informed and the police chief has rightly apologized,'' Aspen Mayor Helen Klanderud said Wednesday. "It's extremely important that the agencies cooperate and have a positive relationship.''
Late Wednesday afternoon, Braudis remained in a closed-door meeting with Police Chief Loren Ryerson and City Manager Steve Barwick. None returned phone calls for comment.
The city manager scheduled a special work session Jan. 17 for the City Council to discuss the raid and the town's police policy regarding drugs.
"Our paramount concern is the safety and well-being of visitors and citizens of Aspen," Klanderud said. "Our police are not to do undercover investigations or use paid informants. We need to get all the facts of what happened here."
On the other hand, Klanderud said, the city policy requires police to cooperate with other law enforcement agencies in drug investigations.
Ryerson told the Aspen Daily News that the sheriff's views on drug enforcement played a factor in Ryerson's decision not to tell the sheriff about the raids. But he repeated Tuesday that he made a mistake by not informing Braudis in advance.
The newspaper also quoted Ryerson as saying guns were drawn by some officers during the raid.
The raid was carried out by officers from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the Colorado Department of Revenue and police from Aspen and Snowmass Village, according to law enforcement news releases.
It was DEA agents who did the undercover work, Ryerson told the Aspen Times.
Braudis has long called for the legalization of drugs, calling the war on drugs a failure and saying addicts should see doctors, not go to prison.
Councilman Torre, who goes by only one name, said it was good that the sheriff and police chief "are trying to mend fences."
"But the city doesn't support undercover work, and our police department doesn't," Torre said. "It's a matter of community trust and public safety, and we believe in education and treatment as more effective with drugs. It's not necessarily done with a bust, but to intervene."
The controversy is the talk of the town, said Councilwoman Rachael Richards.
"The city does not turn a blind eye to drug activity," she said. "And we as a council certainly aren't told of these things in advance. But there seemed to be a risk factor with these tactics and so many innocent bystanders."
By virtue of the state constitutions, they actually have more power than the governors and actually can trump the feds.
In any event, this looks like overkill - 53 fedguv agents in a small, affluent resort town dependent on tourism - 2 ounces of cocaine and some immigration violations.
Interesting to see how this plays out.
Maybe the police should have served caviar while they conducted the sting? I don't see how the rich should be treated like cream puffs just because they can afford coke over crack.
[Pitkin County Sheriff] Braudis has long called for the legalization of drugs, calling the war on drugs a failure and saying addicts should see doctors, not go to prison.
The state and fed guys must have thought the local police would tip off the druggies. Based on the locals stated position it sounds like that was a good bet.
Sounds to me like more restaurant workers got arrested than rich patrons.
If he said that, he should be fired.
Interesting to see how this plays out.
Reminds me of all the Roman soldiers running into and out of the houses when they search their homes.
Unless he was elected on it.
Sheriffs are accountable to the electorate. That's why I like them.
"Councilman Torre, who goes by only one name..."
What is his day job?
in street $$$'s 2 oz would be more like 56K
They should have raided the Aspen Democrat Party headquarters or Barbara Streisands home. Bigger score.
I'm aware of that. Our law enforcement, particularly the sheriff, runs on the same ballot as the mayor, the county judge, the governor, and the president.
Overwhelming presence is probably a good thing when you're dealing with illegals and drugs.
My best guess? Agitator or conciliator. Searching and making a phone call.
He's not hired, he's elected just like every other sheriff in the United States by the residents of the County, not the tourists.
So9
On what grounds? Shall only those who accept the authoritarian orthodoxy be allowed to hold office?
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