A cracked windshield led to the seizure of 15 pounds of marijuana and $5,000 in cash, police said, during a crackdown on Atlanta motorists.
Operation Thunder, a three-day sweep of traffic scofflaws featuring road blocks and an influx of officers trained to spot drivers impaired by drugs or alcohol, resulted in the numerous arrests and drug seizures, said officials with the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety.
Operation Thunder was a joint venture with the Atlanta Police Department and included 100 additional officers from as far away as Bainbridge, said GOHS spokeswoman Katie Fallon.
The campaign kicked off Thursday and ended Saturday. Atlanta police provided the following statistics, which do not include arrests by officers from other agencies:
- 868 traffic citations
- 178 arrests (19 felonies)
- 81 seatbelt violations
- 61 DUI arrests
- 3 stolen vehicles recovered
Drug seizures included heroin, crack cocaine and marijuana. Those arrested included an armed robbery suspect, a motorist with counterfeit IRS refund checks, and a suspect wanted on a Secret Service warrant, said Fallon.
“The success of this collaboration with out law enforcement partners is evident in these impressive numbers,” said Atlanta police Chief George Turner. “We are grateful to the many officers, deputies and troopers from the Atlanta Police Department, from the metro Atlanta area, and from around the state, who worked tirelessly the past few days to ensure our streets are safer for our citizens. Special thanks go out to the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety for spearheading such a powerful and effective law enforcement initiative.”
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