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Ten Rock County Men Charged in Drug Trafficking Ring Save Email Print
Posted: 5:16 PM May 19, 2008
Last Updated: 5:16 PM May 19, 2008
Reporter: Tina Stein

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Wind chimes and the occasional passing car are the typical sounds heard down Vernon Avenue in Beloit. Not mini-explosions set by police to lure a suspected drug dealer out of his home.

"It was loud, so many people so many police, FBI, AFT and I was like oh my goodness," says neighbor Rita Isabell.

These ten men from Beloit, South Beloit and Janesville now face federal drug charges. 18 months of police surveillance and cell phone wire taps, helped nab them for running several kilos of cocaine.

"It's scared everybody. We were surprised," says neighbor David Hendrickson.

"It kinda makes me nervous just to live in this quiet neighborhood and to have people mask themselves it's just nerve wrecking," Isabell says.

Investigators say drugs were being sold to people from outside the Stateline area. They wouldn't elaborate. But say they're investigating whether the suspects are illegal immigrants.

Dozens of stolen items were confiscated. Thousands of dollars in cash and cars also removed by police. They won't say who tipped them off, but warn more arrests are on the way.

"They probably shouldn't sleep well tonight because they know who they are and they know were coming for them," says Beloit Police Chief Sam Lathrop.

One of the ten arrested was released on bond. The condition is to stay out of trouble. Since it's a Federal case, the other men are being held in the Columbia and Dane County jails. Their first court hearing has not been set.

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