TOLEDO, Ohio -
Toledo vice officers spent the weekend raiding drug houses in "Operation Dirty Boy Blitz." 13abc rode along with the SWAT and Vice Narcotics Unit as they worked to get drugs off the streets.
The operation is named in honor of slain officer Keith Dressel. "Dirty Boy" was Detective Dressel's nickname. Officers say he always had ketchup or taco stains on his clothes.
The unit's first stop was 1363 Foster Street. Police say it's the home of murder victim Christopher Lawrence, also known as Country Boy Chris.
Lawrence was shot and killed last year inside a truck in front of his foster home. The SWAT team and undercover vice detectives hit the house after weeks of surveillance.
The commander of the SWAT unit, Lieutenant Norman Giesige, says they found approximately a pound of marijuana inside the house.
Throughout the weekend, the vice unit served a number of warrants, some announced and some unannounced.
Captain Brad Weis says most of the violent crimes on the streets of Toledo are gang and drug related.
"Hopefully, we'll take a large quantity of drugs off the streets today," Capt. Weis says. "We also send the message that the impact will be to close a lot of these drug houses down."
Police say those houses are a nuisance to neighborhood.
The SWAT unit moved on to another house they said was known for selling drugs. Officers surrounded the home. One man was inside when the unit went in.
"Once we reached the front door they went right to the ground," says Weis. "We hit this location before, so they knew the drill. We didn't have any problems at all"
Vice detectives say they found drugs and a stack of money. They arrested the man inside.
"By hitting these houses, it keeps them on their toes," says Capt. Weis. "It takes away their comfort level. Anytime you're out here selling dope and any given time you can get your house raided."
A total of 51 people were charged with a total of 53 felony and 40 misdemeanor offenses during the blitz.
Detectives say they seized more than five pounds of marijuana, 60 grams of cocaine, and prescription pills and heroin. The value of the drugs is more than $30,000.
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