29 Indicted On Drug-Related Crimes According To Police
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To read a list of those indicted, click here.
Published: February 25, 2009
Updated: February 25, 2009
To read a list of those indicted, click here.
BRISTOL, Va. – They’re often called “addict dealers,” because they sell just to support their habits, and they were the focus of four-month investigation in Bristol, Va.
Based on the investigation, a grand jury issued 79 indictments against 29 such dealers, Police Chief William Price said Tuesday, during an afternoon news conference.
“It’s the saddest thing in our society, as far as I’m concerned,” Price said.
Officers took to the streets at 4:15 p.m. with arrest warrants for the 29 people indicted on various drug-related crimes. Inside two hours eight people had been arrested, said Police Capt. Jerry Barlow.
Price said he hopes that all 29 will be in custody by the end of the week.
During the news conference, held in the department’s lobby, Price said the department’s vice narcotics unit started the work on the investigation in August and targeted the addict dealers.
Neither the investigation nor the indictments indicate an increase in criminal drug activity in the north side of the city, Price said, but were a part of the ongoing war on drugs.
“As long as there is a demand, you’re going to have supply,” Price said. “Drug crime isn’t growing, it’s got enough of a foothold as it is.”
Last year, Price said, drugs were involved in 74 percent of all Virginia-side crimes.
Addict dealers are not the big guns of local drug traffic, Price said. They work the trickle-down of drug trade, “they’re addicts themselves,” Price said. “And they deal just enough to support their own habit.”
The charges in the indictments include numerous counts of distribution and conspiracy to distribute, Price said.
Two suspects also were charged with child abuse and neglect after police said they sold drugs in the presence of their infant child. And one juvenile petition was obtained against an underage suspect for distribution.
From August to December, undercover officers bought more than $4,000 worth of narcotics and prescription drugs, including cocaine, Oxycontin, morphine, Dilaudid, methadone, Suboxone, Lortab, marijuana and imitation controlled substances, Price said.
Five suspects were arrested immediately during that time in “buy-bust” operations, Price said, which resulted in the seizure of $6,500 in cash and $6,000 worth of cocaine.
Price emphasized the importance of targeting the drug problem from all angles – not just law enforcement. Last year, he said, his department sent 24 addicts for rehabilitation. Of them, 20 are clean, contributing members of society today, he said.
“We also work in this city with a coalition that works with the addicted,” he said. “We’re trying to help these people.”
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Wow,thats so rude,talking about people bein disabled my mom and dad are and they need the money they have..the gov is so tight with there money…but yet when it comes to bringing people 2 the us they give them a millions dollars a gas station a house and everything but someonethats on an ssi check or something is already bein accused of selling the drugs they get for there pain or whatever and are TAKING them not selling them….Some of you all have your head stuck too far up somewhere to realize maybe people have no knee cap because they have worked sence they were 7 and maybe there little bit of money they do get they have to spend on there house payment this and that living from 600 a month…and the whole food stamp thing…..that was uncalled for just because people r disablled and cant work what they deserve not to eat….would you rather see someone eating and paying for a roof over there head by using the gov. money….both my mom and dad has paid into it untill thye got disabled so this is a bunch of crock:/
I have for years said that the welfare system is a joke. It penalizes you if you do try to better yourself by taking all your benefits away before you can get on your feet. So why would anybody want to work it is easier to stay home sell food stamps and drugs. Yes we agree that anybody getting government assistance should have to be drug tested and if you fail then you only have yourself to blame!! I have to work everyday and am subject to drug testing. Why should my tax dollars go to support their drug habits??
If you get ANY Gov. assistance, then you should be considered as being on “payroll” and should be required to take drug screens and perform community service for your $$$. Just MY opinion.
I certainly did not intend to bash anyone. I apologize to everyone I offended. But you are so right, the only people that would object would be the ones that couldn’t pass the drug screen.
They can’t work, can’t afford anything, yet they manage to “budget in” their drugs every month.
me too, but i would think the government would subject each of us to the same things that working people are subject to, i.e., drug screening.
I know several people on disability. They don’t need to be. Some people truly need to be. I know that. But it is really frustrating to watch what the “others” do with state money.
I think drug testing those that receive government assistance is a wonderful idea. If one receives a welfare check, ssi or government housing they should be subject to drug testing upon initial receipt of services and be subject to random testing like any employer would. I do not think that is a bash to anyone, it is fair. I work and am subject to drug testing from my employer, the one that writes my check and susidizes my way of life. If the government is the one writing your check and providing your life support they should be able to drug test you. The only ones that would object would be the ones doing drugs and those people should not be receiving anything.
Jodee, I hope you and yours never become disabled.
I have never understood why people with jobs, people that work for their money, take drug screens, get up in the morning, go to work etc.
The most people on disability and welfare are not required by our laws to do the same. If they can;t pass a drug screen, they can’t have government help. Gee, what a concept. How much money would that save our government a year? Probably millions.
Oldgrunt:
our jails are full of addicts now. Why continue to take care of these people.
when they do not want to take care of themselves or anyone else.So, lets lock them all up and throw away the key? Not the answer at all. These people need help…If they aren’t willing to get help than, yes lock them up and put them to work . The city of Bristol could use a good cleaning?
I’d like to respond to “Chester” please. Yes TNcare is a state of TN health program, known in other states as Medicaid. A state program funded with federal dollars regardless what each state chooses to name it. I work in this field everyday and have first hand knowledge of abuse of the system. I was just giving my opinion as is everyone posting a comment…so I don’t know if I can agree on conjecture. Since I work in this field, I probably have more facts than you. In Erwin this week, four men from Greeneville were arrested after having filled a prescription for 230 Roxicontins pills (synthetic morphine). They were on their way to another pharmacy when arrested. One man admitted he had flown to and from Ft. Lauderdale to get prescriptions in one day. The doctor he turned over see an average of 200 “patients” a day. I’ve worked in a doctors office. You do well to see 35 patients a day. Regardless of how these medications are paid for, the doctors are also abusing and contributing to the system. As far as your comment regarding only a few of these people reside in TN and were arrested for selling prescription drugs. I counted 14 selling prescription drugs. Morphine is a prescription drug as is Roxicontonin. And I’m sure the fine people of Virginia don’t appreciate people abusing their system. And as far as my political persuasion, I guess you assume I’m a republican. Talk about congecture….I have voted for the Democratic party since I became eligible to vote many years ago. But that doesn’t mean I’m not frustrated with the continued abuse of our healthcare system, including doctors, hospitals, pharmacies, drug reps, etc. Our nation has created a vicious cycle with our Medicaid and welfare programs. We reward people for not working and being responsible for their own lives. We punish those who try to work and want to become responsible for their lives. But I’m thankful we live in a nation where we can both submit our comments, aren’t you?
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