Las Vegas Sun

March 28, 2024

Metro claims business was front for drug sales

As part of a push to curb crime in the downtown area, Metro Police used a little-known city code to arrest the owner of a Fremont Street business, saying he contributed to problems in the area.

After a year-long investigation, Metro Police arrested Worku Berhanu, owner of the 99 Cents & More store, on charges of maintaining a public nuisance. Police allege that the store was a front for drug activity. More arrests are expected to follow, although the store remains open.

Metro Officer Kendall Wiley, the area's community policing officer, said Wednesday's arrest sends the message to business owners contributing to the problem that Metro is committed to the area.

"It shows the other business owners that we mean business so you might want to start thinking about changing your ways and start straightening up," she said. "We're not fooling around. Our intent is to revitalize the area. And if it takes arrests, so be it."

The arrest comes just a day after city officials and Metro Police announced a cooperative effort to crack down on crime in the area that has been overrun by drug dealers, prostitutes, and criminals for years.

"I am delighted and I am encouraged that Metro has become our partner in cleaning up that very, very difficult area of downtown," Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman said. "I think the arrest shows how serious we are in our effort to make sure that East Fremont will become a livable, viable successful area."

Wiley said Metro's investigation showed drug paraphernalia was being sold at the store and drug activity taking place outside the store at 715 E. Fremont St.

In making the arrests, Metro relied on a city code that deals with public or chronic nuisances. According to the code, a business is considered a chronic nuisance if three or more activities have taken place in one month that interfere with the quality of life of nearby businesses or has a detrimental effect on adjacent property values.

In the case of Berhanu, police responded to 28 calls for service in one month alone, Wiley said.

Berhanu was in jail this morning, and workers at the store refused to comment.

Wednesday's arrest was the first time the code has been used in the Fremont Street area, Wiley said. Law enforcement had previously not used the code because it requires lengthy investigation.

A conviction of public nuisance is a misdemeanor, and could result in up to six months in jail, and / or a $1,000 fine.

The arrest comes at a time when Metro and the city of Las Vegas have put business owners on notice that they intend to drive out people the mayor has called "cockroaches" who infest the area. City officials want to turn a six-block area on Fremont Street east of Las Vegas Boulevard into an entertainment district with bars, taverns, and live music.

To do that, the area must be spruced up by way of street cleaners and fresh paint, but also wiped clean of crime, city officials said.

Wiley, who was recently assigned as community policing officer in the area, said many businesses on Fremont Street point to the store as a source of problems.

"He's somebody that all he's looking for is the almighty dollar and he doesn't care about anyone else," Wiley said of Berhanu.

The investigation, which began on March 2001, revealed the store was selling four-inch glass tubes and cut-up scouring pads -- which are considered drug paraphernalia.

Undercover officers doing surveillance of the store also witnessed drug sales in front of the store, Wiley said. In one case Berhanu was outside the store where drug transactions were taking place less then 5 feet away, Wiley said.

Following the arrest, Wiley said she will forward the paperwork to the city's business licensing division for potential action.

Catherine Levy, public relations manager for the Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce, said the chamber supports the city's redevelopment efforts.

"Anything that would serve to revitalize downtown and possibly draw new businesses to the area would certainly be something the chamber would support wholeheartedly," she said.

archive