
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SUNDAY, April 7, 1991                   TAG: 9104070156
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: C-4   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: HERNDON                                LENGTH: Medium

15 FACE CRACK CHARGES IN NORTHERN VA. CASE

Northern Virginia authorities arrested 15 people Saturday who are believed to be linked to a New York-based crack cocaine distribution network, a federal prosecutor said.

Henry Hudson, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, said the individuals are members of a Guyanese organization and have been responsible for the distribution of 2 kilograms of high-grade crack cocaine a month.

All are charged with violations of knowingly, unlawfully and intentionally conspiring, confederating and agreeing with others to distribute 50 or more grams of cocaine base, Hudson said.

Most of their activity had been centered around the Herndon area since the summer of 1988.

Hudson said undercover agents of the Northern Virginia Regional Cocaine Task Force or police affiliated with the unit had either purchased or seized the narcotic on 20 occasions.

An investigation found that the crystallized cocaine originated in crack processing facilities in New York and was brought into Northern Virginia.

It is believed that the drug has a common source in New York, but was distributed through a series of Virginia distributors or residents who were controlled by Guyanese enforcers, Hudson said.

Peter Gruden, special agent in charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration's Washington field office, said the case has a unique aspect because the leaders of the drug ring only wanted to sell the crack on the streets.

By selling the narcotic in gram quantities, the distributors were able to maximize their profits, he said.

Those taken into custody were identified as: Stanford Blucher, 30, of New York; Shelly Bourne, 23, of Herndon; Cheryl Bushrod, 21, of Herndon; Sylvester Chan, 20, of Brooklyn, N.Y.; Joyce Cox, 36, of Herndon; Patricia Landsdowns, 34, of Sterling; Dwayne Norville, 25, of Leesburg; Celeste Shariff, 30, of Reston; Charlene Starling, 29, of Chantilly; Anthony Jones, 24, of Leesburg; Patrick Atwell, 22, of Leesburg; Karin Bushrod, 24, of Sterling; Gwendolyn Puller, 25, of Herndon; Nadine Jordan, 22, of Reston; and Bertram McRae, 25, of New York.

Eight other suspects were being sought by authorities, Hudson said. The investigation was managed by the Northern Virginia Regional Crack Task Force.

by CNB