Police make major drug bust
Published 10:42 am Thursday, July 7, 2011
FRANKLIN—Authorities seized a quantity of crack cocaine, ecstasy, marijuana and more than $39,000 while arresting five local men in the city on Wednesday.
Arrested in what police say will have a significant impact on drug activity in the city were Dominique Raeshawn Kindred, 19, of 410 B Harrison St., Franklin; Alexander Howard Olds, 22, of 329 Bruce St., Franklin; Brandon De’Shun Cary, 26, of 1631 Dorchester St., Franklin; Jovar Marquis Smith, 22, of 321 Morton St., Franklin; and Torrance Jamar Bowers, 23, of 37538 General Mahone Blvd., Ivor.
“This investigation and the arrests made from it will have a significant impact on the amount of narcotics that have been coming into the city,” said Franklin Police Lt. Tim Whitt. “And it will hopefully curtail the violence associated with narcotics distribution as well as assist in improving the quality of life for the decent law abiding citizens of the city.”
Federal arrest and search warrants were executed for what authorities called a continuing gang and drug trafficking investigation. The Federal Bureau of Investigation Safe Streets Peninsula Task Force along with Franklin Police arrested the men without incident for alleged narcotics violations.
All were taken to a federal facility in Norfolk. The suspects are being held without bond; prosecution will be handled by the U.S. Attorney’s Office
As arrest teams were picking up suspects, other teams searched two Franklin homes. In addition to finding the suspected drugs, authorities also found a .45 caliber pistol and seized a vehicle.
The FBI refused to answer additional questions, including where the homes were located that were searched.
“We’re not able to answer that,” said Vanessa Torres, community outreach specialist with the FBI in Norfolk. “This is all we can release at this time because this is an ongoing investigation.”