Multiple local, state and federal law-enforcement agencies, including the Vermont State Police, are conducting a search into illegal drugs as of 6 AM today at a ‘homeless hotel’ in Rutland.
State Police say the police activity is focused on carrying out court-ordered search warrants at the Highlander Motel on U.S. Route 7. The operation is related to an ongoing investigation into illegal drug activity. Participating agencies are the Vermont State Police, including the Tactical Services Unit and Narcotics Investigation Unit; the Federal Bureau of Investigation; Homeland Security Investigations; and the Rutland City Police Department.
Members of the public will see an increased police presence in the vicinity of the motel. The operation is focused on the motel property, and there is no indication of a danger to the broader community.
The Highlander was the scene of a similar multi-agency drug bust last year. The motel has been featured in media coverage as a participant in the state’s emergency housing program.
Categories: Crime
Good to know our tax dollars are used to support a flourishing drug trade in our communities. Raided last year and about to be raided again? So which bureaucrat, non-profit, NGO or representative is getting a cut from the drug trafficking that continues with impunity? They won’t stop it because they pocket profits, and we get to pay for the dealer’s workspaces and the salaries of all involved.
Oh yeah, they caught some more. But not to worry we will pay to move them into another neighborhood to be destroyed! Way to go Vermont!!!
And the legislators of VT are shedding tears this morning as these disadvantaged victims again become “profiled” by evil law enforcement agents. Keep on waving them into Vermont, you traitors to this state and nation!!!
Do we need any more evidence that for some users, this program has gone on way beyond it’s usefulness? Is it obvious now that the system that determines need and eligibility is either absent or completely inadequate? And isn’t it getting old when we are told after every one of these incidents that “there is no indication of a danger to the broader community”? The neighborhood residents and businesses around these flophouses have been in constant danger ever since the free motel room program was expanded during the COVID “emergency”. The Governor has expressed his opposition to extending this program into the future and really should use examples like this to put his foot down on the matter. “Advocates” for the unhoused such as Brenda Siegel need to face facts about how this program has provided cover and opportunity for those who peddle deadly opioids and the privacy afforded to addicts by having their own space has contributed to fatal overdoses. A homeless junkie living in a group setting at least has the benefit of others intervening in case of overdoing it. That blood is on Siegel’s hands.
VT Department of Tourism should list all these so called “Homeless” hotels on their website, as hotels not to say in, for tourists visiting Vermont ,otherwise those decades of promoting tourism ,and all those tax dollars that supported it, will go right down that drain, of progressive/leftist, failed policies.
Vote every leftist out of office statewide!
Having only lived in Vermont since 2003, I am still considered a “Flatlander”, so I am not that familiar with Vermont History.
Having read about the drug problem in Rutland previously, I was curious about it and found this article from 2015 on Google which in part stated that:
“…..Rutland, a blue collar city, has been singled out as the epicenter of Vermont’s drug epidemic. But Vermont State Police say the drug has penetrated every community throughout the state. However, the struggling neighborhoods of Rutland have been especially vulnerable, as addicts switch from prescription painkillers to cheaper heroin. Drug dealers stream in from New York because profits are larger here, according to authorities….”
So, how do we now blame the drug problem specifically on the “Homeless Motel” people?
The problem started long before 2015. Back in the 1980’s, cocaine was hitting communities because back then most people had jobs and the middle class was ripe for the trendy “pick me up, party all night” drug. Anyone could party like rock stars and celebrities with a bump or two of coke. Then, they went after the black communities using rappers and hip-hop artists as idols. What we are seeing today is a well plotted, well-funded, criminal syndicate set out to destroy society here and abroad. The government will not stop it because they are profiteers and co-conspirators. The world runs on blackmail and corruption these days. JP Morgan owned a boat seized in New York harbor full of cocaine a few years back. Now, there is coke in the White House library, and no one knows how it got there? C’mon man. Days of Haman indeed.
Wow, interesting. Please provide us with some documented evidence that can be Googled regarding the second half of your reply?
Rutland’s drug/crime/violence problem started 30+ years ago when it was targeted by the Solidos gang of southern New England. Local authorities recognized the problem and decided to not roll out the welcome mat like progressive cities do. The police used good, common sense “intuition” to decide who to target for enforcement and the word got out that operating around Rutland would get you busted since we elected real prosecutors back then. Of course, the intuition that was used would now be defined as racial profiling, but it accurately targeted the troublemakers.
The real epicenter of Vermont’s opioid problem going back 30+ years was St. Johnsbury, since it hosted a rehab facility where many out-of-state drug offenders were sent after being given the choice between rehab or prison. No surprise that St. J then attracted dealers to supply those who were not being “compliant” with their treatment and those who had completed it and hung around town.
By the way, the Highlander only has 15 rooms, so it can’t possibly be the epicenter of the well-known and decades old drug problem in Rutland.
That picture is not of the “Hotel” involved in the incident.
fixed it, thanks
I hope this Larry is the correct person. My wife and I used to own the Motel in question Highlander Motel from 1976 to 2000. Mr Larry worked for Killington ski area. I hope this is the correct person He worked hard to improve Rutland City. I did watch a 2002 Movie Death Flood about the Corruption and such in Rutland VT then. Sad to see such things. Out here in Northern MI no big drugs as most are legal. Why is their no housing by the City or State. Arnold Goodman
Why is Rutvegas gettin all the bad ink of late?