RICH SQUARE – Local law enforcement officers are intent in their efforts to make a dent in drug trafficking.

In another round of “Operation Simple Sweep” the Rich Square and Murfreesboro Police Departments in a joint effort to get drug dealers off the street have made another arrest.

Rich Square Police Chief A.B. Roye, Murfreesboro Police Chief Darryl Rowe and MPD Lt. Joseph Burgess arrested Luke McCoy Ward Jr., 56, of 1013 Jacobs Street, Rich Square.

Ward was charged with sale and deliver of Oxycodone. Roye said Ward sold Oxycodone pills to an undercover officer.

“Oxycodone is a narcotic prescription medication and is used to treat pain. When it is used incorrectly its effects can be deadly,” Roye said. “This is another great job by Rich Square and Murfreesboro Police Departments to rid the streets of drug dealers.”

The two departments launched “Operation Simple Sweep” with the April 4 arrest of Michael David Byrd and served a search warrant at 401 Roberts Road, Rich Square.

Byrd was charged with sell and deliver crack cocaine, sell and deliver marijuana, maintaining a dwelling for the purpose of selling a controlled substance, possession with intent to sell and deliver marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia and resist, obstruct and delay a police officer.

“Operation Simple Sweep” started four months ago and several drug dealers sold drugs to undercover officers, according to information provided by Roye.

“We want to get the message across to the drug dealers and criminals that their crimes will not be tolerated in Rich Square. This campaign would not have been successful without the outstanding cooperation and assistance of the Murfreesboro Police Department,” Roye stated.