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Pasco Crackdown On Prostitution Nets Several Arrests

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TBO.com

Published: July 28, 2008

NEW PORT RICHEY - Pasco law enforcement officers have finished working on a weeklong undercover effort to combat prostitution along U.S. 19.

After complaints from residents and business owners, New Port Richey police began a crackdown on criminal acts such as prostitution and solicitation of prostitution July 18 along the north corridor of U.S. 19, according to Assistant Chief Darryl Garman.

Over the weekend beginning July 18, police arrested seven women on charges of prostitution and 12 men for soliciting prostitution. Police also made three warrant arrests, three felony drug arrests and one misdemeanor drug arrest. During the operation, police seized about 369 grams of marijuana, 20 grams of cocaine, 94 doses of ecstasy and $1,500 in cash.

After their initial success, Garman said, New Port Richey officers invited the Pasco County Sheriff's Office and Zephyrhills Police Department to participate in a collaborative effort in their jurisdictions over the weekend beginning July 25.

New Port Richey police arrested seven men on charges of solicitation of prostitution, and Pasco deputies arrested five men on those same charges. Zephyrhills police arrested one man for solicitation of prostitution.

In addition, seven criminal traffic arrests were made.

Similar efforts will continue, according to Garman, as needed.

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