If you’re going to sell hits of acid on North Beach in South Haven, you might want to be certain of who your customers are. Five bold beach blanket dealers found that out the hard way yesterday in the resort community when they ended up selling their LSD tabs to detectives from the Southwest Enforcement Team and Van Buren County Narcotics Unit who were working a detail at the city’s popular North Beach.
Extra patrol coverage and a close watch on the beach activity has been underway following fights and other incidents there over the past several days, including shots fired several blocks away near Elkenburg Park that damaged a couple of vehicles.
Authorities say the detectives were approached by individuals on the beach who were selling hits of acid (LSD), which is a Schedule 1 Controlled Substance by state law. After the detectives effectively negotiated a price per hit, money was exchanged right there on the beach.
After the deal was done, detectives were able to direct uniformed patrol officers to make contact with the suspects and take them into custody. Through the investigation, five people were arrested and charges ranging from Possession of LSD with Intent to deliver, Conspiracy to deliver LSD, Furnishing alcohol to a minor, open intoxicants and minor in possession of alcohol by consumption will be sought. All five of the arrested people were lodged at the Van Buren County Jail, however their names were being withheld until arraignment.
The Southwest Enforcement Team (S.W.E.T) is comprised of sworn law enforcement personnel from the Berrien County Sheriff’s Office, Allegan Police Department, Allegan County Sheriff’s Office, Barry County Sheriff’s Office, Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office, Covert Township Police Department, Kalamazoo County Sheriff’s Office, Kalamazoo Township Police Department, Michigan State Police, South Haven Police Department, Saint Joseph County Sheriff’s Office, and Sturgis Police Department.
SWET is funded in part by the Michigan HIDTA (High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area) as well as the U.S. Department of Justice, Byrne JAG grant.
