POLICE HONORED
Officers recognized by board for busting local drug ring
TOWAMENCIN » A squad of Towamencin’s finest was recognized Wednesday for helping to clean up the township’s streets.
Eight township police officers and a Montgomery County prosecutor were recognized by police Chief Tim Dickinson for their work in rolling up a local drug ring.
“These drug investigations resulted in a total of 42 search warrants being executed, 20 felony drug sales and delivery arrests, and two possession of drug arrests,” Dickinson said. “The investigation, and subsequent arrests, resulted in the seizure of cash proceeds from drug sales in excess of $25,000 in cash, and dangerous drugs with a street value of nearly $67,000.”
Recognized for their work were police Sgts. Gary Wacker, Michael Paul and Paul Wiechec; Detective Patrick Horne; Officers Greg Wert, James Bonner and
"These drug investigations resulted in a total of 42 search warrants being executed, 20 felony drug sales and delivery arrests, and two possession of drug arrests. The investigation, and subsequent arrests, resulted in the seizure of cash proceeds from drug sales in excess of $25,000 in cash, and dangerous drugs with a street value of nearly $67,000." — Police Chief Tim Dickinson
James Gibbas; and police Specialist Heather Dyson.
Dickinson explained how each played an integral part in an operation that spanned from June 2016 into July of this year.
“The success of these investigations was unprecedented for this period of time, in this police department’s history. In that short period of time, to have that many successful drug operations, and self-initiated from the department, is really unprecedented, and is really fantastic work,” Dickinson said.
Simultaneous raids on three separate condo units yielded 1,200 packets of heroin and $18,000 in cash, according to the chief, and required the cooperation of nearly three dozen officers, with the local department supplemented by members of the Montgomery County Drug Task Force.
“We had to hit three condominium homes in the same complex simultaneously. The drug operation was actually being run out of three different homes in the complex: two were side by side, one was behind,” the chief said. “They kept the drugs in one, the money in the other, and the head of the operation was separate. Gary and Pat figured that out.”
The entire squad received a distinguished unit citation, and thanks and congratulations from a roomful of friends and family members.
“On behalf of the board, we’d like to congratulate you on the success of these investigations, and thank you for the work you do, day in and day out,” said supervisors Chairman Chuck Wilson.
Wacker was recognized with an individual award for his work as supervisor of the department’s criminal investigations unit and supervising and assisting the undercover drug sales that lead to the search warrants and arrests.
“He supervised these operations, he was in charge, and he did a really good job. We did all these 42 search warrants, made all these arrests, and no one was hurt, with very minimal property
damage,” Dickinson said.
Horne was recognized for doing the detective work the led to the arrests, and rounding up a group the chief said caused frequent problems for the area in which they operated.
“He developed these 20 cases on his own initiative, following leads, looking up information, tracking down suspects, using confidential informants. He worked it, and it was just unprecedented results for such a short period of time,” Dickinson said.
Assistant District Attorney Robert J. Kolansky was also honored with an individual commendation for assisting with the prosecution end of the investigation.
“He worked side by side with our detectives and our police officers. No question was ever too small for him to answer, and no request was ever denied. He was always there when they needed him,” Dickinson said.