The San Saba Sheriff's Office will begin the first of a series of arrests at the end of a seven month investigation. The Sheriff's Office along with the assistance of undercover police officers from Lamesa Police Department, has been slowly making drug buys for a period of around seven months. The focus has been on the street level methamphetamine drug dealers here in San Saba County. The investigation and undercover operation was very successful and there are charges pending both through the district attorney's office and the federal authorities as well. The operation was due to continue for another couple of months but due to an unforeseen situation, the operation was shut down for now and indictments and warrants are being sought at this time.

"We currently have several indictments and warrants, but will soon be seeking more," stated Sheriff Brown. Brown advised that Chief Deputy Bill Price was the main player in this investigation. He stated, "His years of experience in narcotics related police work has benefited this community in many ways, but has really made our first attempt at buying narcotics with undercover officers a real success and learning experience for all involved."

Sheriff Brown also went on to say, "We are now hitting the illegal sale of narcotics here in this county on all fronts. We are using the information provided by the community, we are conducting search warrants on houses and property, using the K-9 program and we are aggressively going after them on traffic stops as well. The last tool, the use of undercover officers to buy directly from the dealers, is the completion of a well rounded attack in our attempt to have a thorough and complete attack on those buying and selling illegal narcotics in our county.

Sheriff Brown went on to personally thank Chief of Police Garcia of the Lamesa Police Department for his assistance in this operation and for the assistance of his officers. Chief Garcia was approached on this project and went all in and assigned two of his officers, Lieutenant Tony Garcia and Sgt. Ariel Rodriguez to assist with the buys. In return, Chief Deputy Bill Price had to shake off the cobwebs and he worked in Lamesa buying narcotics undercover and this led to several indictments and arrests in that city. Brown stated, "It was a win, win situation for both departments."

Sheriff Brown will be in Lamesa in the near future presenting an award to the Police Chief and the City Council. Brown stated that the operation, while changing gears will continue in different forms and at different times. We will not stop this attack on those poisoning our community with the sale of illegal narcotics and we will not stop going after those who are using it as well. Sheriff Brown also wants to thank District Attorney Sam Oatman for his assistance and Chief Ray Riggs for his assistance as well.

All individuals are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.