Page 10, Portland Observer, September 17, 1986 Portland Police Break Cocaine Operation M A X Ticket Machines Using Susan B. Anthony Dollars by Jerry Garner The Portland Police Bureau nar­ cotics unit claimed they broke a major cocaine distribution ring last week and arrested seven people in Portland, Milwaukie, and gresham Police also seized more than $200,000 in property, including $25,000 in cash According to Lt. Chuck Karl, commander of the Bureau's drug unit, the distribution ring has been in operation since 1982 and was sel ling a pound of cocaine a week and earning more than $100,000 a month on the illicit drug Lt. Karl said the bust will have a tremendous ripple effect on the availability of cocaine in some areas of the county One of those arrested. Michael Oale Brookes, 38, of Milwaukie, was formerly the owner of Gresham Honda Tho police also seized seven vehicles, handguns and two ounces of cocaine Lt Karl said it was his policy to seize the property of drug dealers because, due to lack of jail space, many dealers are freed pending trial "If we can catch them with cash or things they buy with drug money, we will seize them The state has good seizure laws My preference is to get into ^heir pocket books, if I can. until jail space is available to lock them up," Karl said In other related news, fourteen Io cal government and law enforce ment officials met last week at Port land City Hall to discuss pending federal anti drug laws and ways to combine their war on drugs efforts During the meeting the group en dorsed the federal Omnibus Anti drug Bill The bill was passed by the U.S. House of Representatives on Wednesday Under the bill, the fed oral government will put $600 mil lion a year over the next five years into military interdiction by air and sea in an effort to stop the flow of heroin, cocaine, pot. and other illicit drugs into the U.S. The bill will also provide econ omic assistance to countries which are dependent on drug money as in come and sanctions against those countries which do not cooperate in the eradication program The federal legislation would also provide $100 million for drug treat ment programs and $50 million for anti drug education annually Ore gon stands to receive about 1 per cent of the funds Wake up little Susie W e re put ting you back to work Ticket machines along the MAX lion is that "Susies are thought to be extinct." says Lana Nelson, Ma nager of Consumer Programs "But M AX riders, confused about the coins, may first think that they are being short changed because the (Metropolitan Area Express) route the truth is they continue to be used are using Susan B Anthony dollar and that they are easier to use m coins in making change, Tri Met coin operated machines that are re Susies have been used in the four officials reminded its customers to quired to return dollars in change Tri Met ticket machines in place on day The coins are commonly used "The MAX ticket machines ac by other transit systems which fea cept $1. $5. $10 and $20 bills and ture ticket vending machines return as much as $8 50 in change," 'We realized the public percep Nelson emphasized. “Their checking fees were low. And they’ve kept them that way.” coins haven't been in common use in the Portland area, Nelson said. the Portland Mall the last three years, she added dollar coins may be used to pur chase bus and train tickets. “I wanted to refinance They were one of the few who would work with me, even though they were so busy.” “I thought they should put in more parking at my branch. They did.” PCC Offers Telecourse ForG .E.D . Preparation A fall quarter telecourse for stu dents preparing to take the General Educational Development test (GED) will start September 23 under auspices of Portland Community College. Instructor Joan Gravenites said the course will begin with on cam pus orientation that includes regi stration, reading placement testing and a question answer period Students may choose between orientation sessions scheduled for 6 30 to 8 30 p.m Tuesday. Sep tember 23, and 10 30 to 12 noon Saturday, September 27. Students need appear at only one of the meetings, Gravenites said. They will be held in the library of the PCC Southeast Center. 2850 S.E. 82nd Ave PCC Offers New Class In Free Lance W riting A new Portland Community Col lege class in free lance writing will meet for the first time Thursday, September 25. at the PCC Cascade Campus, 705 N Killingsworth The eight week class will cover writing techniques, marketing and selling tips for aspiring and publish ed writers Instructor will be Sharon Wood, a correspondent for The Oregonian whose stories are frequently pub­ lished in that newpaper's Science, Forum and Portland sections. She is presently a student at Linfield College, McMinnville The class will meet from 7 to 9 p.m in Room B 46 of Cascade Hall on the Cascade Campus Tuition will be $23 Further information is available from Cascade Community Services. 240 5303 C ultivating bacteria instead o f trees ami cotton plants io produce cellulose mas one day lead to cheaper paper, clothing and medical supplies V