THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, September 22, 1996 TAG: 9609220014
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B2 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY STEVE STONE, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: 53 lines
Busting a major drug operation often takes months of tedious investigation. But a man fleeing a police traffic checkpoint led officers into an apartment stuffed with cash, guns and drugs.
The stash included more than $130,000 worth of heroin and cocaine.
``It feels good, it feels real good,'' Trooper Brian Blackman said of the bust Saturday as state police put the drugs and weapons on display, a day after their seizure. Two Norfolk men arrested at the scene remain in jail.
Blackman was at the Granby Street on-ramp to Interstate 64 eastbound on Friday, running a routine checkpoint when, at 12:05 p.m., an approaching car stopped and backed away.
The car stopped to turn, and Blackman moved to intercept it, but when he got out to approach the driver, the car sped at him. He jumped out of the way, climbed into his cruiser, and gave chase.
Norfolk police joined the chase, which ended at the Bay View Terrace Apartments in the 4500 block of Tidewater Drive.
``He bailed out and climbed over the fence,'' Blackman said. After briefly trying to hide behind some cars, he ran into an apartment.
Blackman and Norfolk officers followed.
Inside, they nabbed the man. And then, in plain view, they saw bags of drugs and weapons. There were two pots on the stove where drugs were apparently being prepared.
A search warrant was obtained, and in the next few hours police discovered white and brown heroin and cocaine with an estimated street value of $133,000. There were five guns, including an Uzi with a laser sight and a stolen assault rifle.
There was more than $5,000 in cash. Scales, packaging and other drug paraphernalia were seized.
``It was a very large operation,'' Blackman said. ``You don't find heroin that much in this area, in that quantity.''
The driver of the car, Bricelyn M. Russell, 26, was already wanted by Norfolk police on three warrants. He was charged with attempted assault on a police officer with a motor vehicle, as well as numerous felony and misdemeanor drug charges. The other man found in the apartment, Eric D. Morehead, 22, was also held on a series of drug-related charges. ILLUSTRATION: Photo
Eric D. Morehead, 22, left, faces drug charges, and Bricelyn M.
Russell, 26, faces a charge of attempted assault on an officer and
drug charges.
Map
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KEYWORDS: DRUG ARRESTS DRUG GANGS by CNB