Thirty-Six Arrests During Muskogee Police's 'Operation Papa Smurf'

NewsOn6.com

MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA -- Muskogee County law enforcement has made at least 36 arrests since Wednesday, September 1, 2010 as part of "Operation Papa Smurf."

Muskogee Police Cpl. Pedro Zardeneta says the department's special investigations unit working with the Muskogee County DA's office prompted the roundup.

The District Attorney's office issued 99 arrest warrants.

Thirty of those arrests came on Wednesday and another six were arrested on Thursday.

Cpl. Zardeneta says some of those arrested were already in the Muskogee County jail on other charges.

He says the operation name came from street slang for someone who buys pseudoephedrine and then gives it to someone who makes the final meth product.

So far in 2010, the Muskogee Police Department has busted 88 meth labs. In 2009, there were only 35 meth labs busted in the city.

Cpl. Pedro Zardeneta says most of those meth labs have been the 'shake and bake' method.

Also participating in "Operation Papa Smurf" was the Muskogee County Sheriff's Office, ATF, U.S. Marshals and the District Drug Task Force.

More arrests are expected.