Release # 03-06-012

CAMP DOHA, Kuwait -- Coalition Forces continue to aggressively patrol Iraq to eliminate crimes against people and property, rid populated areas of weapons, ammunition and explosives, and stop the black market trade in fuel and other commodities. Coalition Forces also continue to conduct joint security patrols with Iraqi police in their efforts to increase the professionalism of the police force and prepare them for their role in a self-governed Iraq.

Weapons Turn-In Program:

Iraqi citizens voluntarily turned in a variety of weapons under the Weapons Turn-In Program that began June 1. As of today's count, Coalition Forces throughout Iraq received 30 pistols, 57 semi-automatic rifles or shotguns, 180 automatic rifles, 8 machine guns, 60 anti-tank weapons (i.e., rocket-propelled grenade launchers), 68 grenades and other explosive devices.

The amnesty period for the Weapons Turn-In Program will run through June 14.

Coalition Activity:

Soldiers from the 1st Battalion, 124th Infantry Regiment in Ar Ramadi saw two Iraqi men observing their forces last night. They sent a patrol out to make contact with the men and found one of them carrying an AK-47 rifle. They apprehended him and took him to the Ar Ramadi jail.

An Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team from the 3d Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment saw two Iraqi men brandishing weapons near the central fuel storage facility in Karbala yesterday. Members from the EOD team apprehended the men and turned them over to the Karbala Police Department.

Marines from the 1st Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment raided a safe house near Al Hillah yesterday where they suspected Syrian-backed terrorists lived. Marines did not find the suspects, but they detained five men who were living there, watching over the house. They confiscated two AK-47 rifles.

Soldiers from the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) raided a house east of Mosul yesterday. They captured one person. They also seized a rocket-propelled grenade launcher, an AK-47 rifle, two light machine guns and 30 cases of heavy machine gun ammunition.

Police Activity in the Last 24 Hours:

Coalition Forces conducted 14 raids and a total of 2,363 patrols throughout Iraq. Of those patrols, they conducted 239 joint Iraqi and Coalition patrols. They also detained or arrested 76 individuals for a variety of criminal activity, including looting, curfew violations, weapons violations, theft, larceny and dealing drugs.

Recent Police Activity:

Iraqi police on patrol with soldiers from the 549th Military Police Company in Baghdad responded to an assault complaint recently. The patrol apprehended an Iraqi man who shot two other Iraqi men with a pistol. A civilian ambulance took the two men to a local hospital before the patrol arrived. The patrol took the suspect to the New Baghdad Police Station. Iraqi police and soldiers from the 233d Military Police Company conducted a raid on illegal alcohol peddlers in Baghdad recently. They arrested three men for illegal distribution and Iraqi police confiscated 366 cans of beer, as well as 102 bottles of beer. The patrol took the three men to the Al Elwiah Police Station and destroyed the contraband.

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