Police: “Known Dope House” Shut Down

KILGORE — Kilgore police say a known “dope house” located at 908 West North is now boarded up so no one can sell drugs from it. According to KETK, police say a car drove by the residence March 17 and sprayed it with bullets but no injuries were reported. Authorities are investigating the incident but claim the occupants of the house were less than cooperative. Police are unsure if the shooting was motivated by a disgruntled customer, a competitor, or gang activity.

Earlier this month, police declared the location, which is a rental property, a criminal nuisance and planned to seek assistance from the Texas Attorney General in filing a nuisance abatement lawsuit against the property owner. The purpose of the formerly proposed lawsuit was not to show or prove that the property owner is guilty of illegal acts, but rather to prove the property owner allowed the reported illegal activity to occur on the property and failed to make reasonable attempts to stop it, according to officials.

“Because the dealers are not present there will be no shootings at the residence,” police wrote on Facebook. “Nothing good could come out of this house operating as it had.” Officials say the problem is solved and they are already on to the next location. In time, police hope the owners can rehab the house. “We are not naïve and know society will never be 100 percent drug free,” authorities stated. “But, if we [in Kilgore] work together we can keep our children from being exposed at an early age and make it so difficult for the drug dealer, they will go somewhere else.”