11 Charged in Suspected Drug Ring in Franklin Area
Posted on: Wednesday, 25 January 2006, 09:01 CST
By Stephanie Heinatz, The Virginian-Pilot, Norfolk, Va.
Jan. 25--FRANKLIN -- Following a three-month undercover operation, 11 men from Franklin and Southampton County have been arrested and charged with distributing drugs, mainly cocaine.
About 9 ounces of cocaine were seized, Franklin Police Chief Phillip Hardison estimated. The approximate street value is between $800 to $1,000 an ounce.
"This has been the most significant drug operation we have worked in a number of years," Hardison said. "And we're not finished. The unique thing about drug operations is that just because you arrest someone, doesn't mean the investigation ends."
The 11 men arrested, who range in age from 18 to 49 , appear to be working in a network, Hardison said. He couldn't say how far their drug sales stretched outside of Franklin. "These individuals had a significant impact to our community," Hardison said. "But I don't know if we are able to determine the regional impact just yet."
In neighboring Suffolk, prosecutor Charles "Fox" Urquhart said he can't imagine it not having some effect. "At the very least, it lets the big drug dealers know that they can't just move away from major metropolitan areas and into the counties with impunity," Urquhart said. "They will get caught."
A Southampton County grand jury indicted the men a week ago. Police made the arrests Friday, saying they waited to put together a plan and gather support from other law enforcement agencies, including the Drug Enforcement Administration, FBI, Virginia State Police, Southampton's sheriff's office, and Virginia National Guard, who lent its raid helicopter.
Reach Stephanie Heinatz at (757) 222-5563 or stephanie.heinatz@pilotonline.com
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Copyright (c) 2006, The Virginian-Pilot, Norfolk, Va.
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Source: The Virginian-Pilot
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