Federal, state and city law-enforcement officials announced the arrests of 24 people in "Operation IMPACT 2."

In all, 38 people have been indicted. Charges include of distribution of cocaine, selling cocaine within 1,000 feet of a school, possession of co-
9/10/08 2:54 PM
on inRich.com caine and firearms charges.

The first Operation IMPACT took place from August through October 2007 resulting in the indictments of 54 people, 53 of whom have been arrested.

Petersburg Police Chief John I. Dixon III said the arrests have contributed to a 23 percent drop in crime in the city from the same period last year. He said the operation used informants, surveillance and other measures.

Dixon believes the efforts have encouraged more residents to report crime and to testify against criminals. "We are getting a lot of help in the community," he said.

Also involved were the Petersburg and Dinwiddie County sheriff's offices; the Virginia State Police; the Drug Enforcement Administration; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; the U.S. Marshals Service; the Virginia Attorney General's office; the U.S. Attorney's Office; and the Petersburg commonwealth's attorney's office.

U.S. Attorney Chuck Rosenberg said that at the conclusion of Operation IMPACT 1, "I promised you we would be back and we are indeed back."

Petersburg Commonwealth's Attorney Cassandra Burns said she hopes the word gets out that drug dealers are not welcome in Petersburg.
Contact Frank Green at (804) 649-6340 or fgreen@timesdispatch.com.