Operation Sunrise nets 43 arrests

Drug investigators surprised dozens of wanted criminals in Etowah County Wednesday morning.  Investigators arrested 43 people between 5 a.m. and 3 p.m., Wednesday and the warrant round up continues.  Deputies also seized 1.5 pounds of crystal meth and some small quantities of marijuana.  The Etowah County Drug Enforcement Unit called it "Operation Sunrise," and members were busy with preparations long before sunrise.  Armed With 200 arrest warrants for about 150 individuals, several dozen investigators headed out to make some wake up calls.  The first knock on a suspect's door happened before 6 a.m.  District attorney Jimmy Harp says the early morning roundups gives officers the element of surprise.   The drug task force has been conducting the round-ups every four to six months.  The coordinated effort includes sheriff's deputies, FBI agents, U.S. Marshals, and local police officers.  Investigators said making a wide sweep together at once is more effective than serving an individual warrant on a random day.  Many of those arrested wednesdayface narcotics charges, and investigators said Wednesday's targets included some major players in the area's drug trade.  Sheriff Todd Entrekin encourages individuals who are aware of a warrant against them  to turn themselves in at the Etowah County Sheriff's Office.