Bootlegger in Bradley County Busted

On Wednesday Cleveland Police busted an alcohol bootlegging operation in the 500 Block of Dooley Street and Central. Cleveland police investigated the area after recieving several complaints of people selling illegal liquor.

After canvassing the area they found dozens of alcohol bottles and being sold by several people in the apartment.

This was a breakthrough in an ongoing investigation of the East Side of Cleveland where drugs, alcohol and prostitution are a major problem. Detective Brian Smith says a contributing factor to alcohol bootlegging is illegal immigrants.

"As the Hispanic population increases bootlegging of any type of alcohol increases because a lot of individuals do not have I.D to purchase this type of liquor," says Detective Smith.

Neighbors say on the East side of Cleveland near Central Avenue and Dooley Street, there is too much crime.

"If the neighborhood would just come together that would make it better but too many people are scared to get involved," says Amanda Smith who lives in the neighborhood.

Cleveland Police are still investigating bootlegging in the area. Alvin Porter turned himself in to Cleveland Police Friday afternoon and is charged with the storage of liquor for sale. He is due in court June 4th.