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26th District bust nets thousands in crack, heroin

Last night was a busy one for the 26th Police District.

A joint taskforce of Narcotics Unit officers and SEPTA Transit Police made a major drug bust on the 1900 block of East Dauphin Street in North Philadelphia just after 8 p.m., netting more than $6,000 in crack and heroin.

"This was huge for us," said 26th District Captain Michael Cram. "That area has really taken a turn for the worse; you can't help but get a bad vibe when you're on that block."

Cram said quality of life issues have plagued the block for the past few months, with reports of prostitution and heavy drug use becoming more common.

"This is more than just a crime problem" Cram said. "The environment has to be right for this kind of change to happen, and it's going to take time to solve this."

Eight arrests were made in the bust, which was the result of a months-long operation from district officers. SEPTA joined the effort because of the block's proximity to the Market Frankford line's York-Dauphin station, according to Cram.

"Arrests alone aren't  going to fix this," Cram said. "We're reaching out to landlords and L&I, busting people for the little things so that we can work on the real issues."

Cram said the district's continued efforts are being boosted by community organizations in the area.