Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, April 20, 1991 TAG: 9104200206
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: A-5 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: LESLIE TAYLOR STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
A grand jury in U.S. District Court in Roanoke returned an indictment charging Gary Daniel, owner of Roanoke Valley Auto Sales.
He faces charges of conspiring to distribute five or more kilograms of cocaine and with attempting to conduct financial transactions affecting interstate commerce that involved proceeds from the alleged conspiracy.
Authorities believe Daniel, 36, financed his business with proceeds from a cocaine enterprise.
The indictment charges that from 1986 to this year, Daniel sold cocaine in the Roanoke Valley in quantities ranging from one-eighth ounce to multiple kilograms.
Daniel was further charged with arranging to sell half a kilogram of cocaine to an individual. He was arrested March 25, shortly after the transaction was made under surveillance.
In an affidavit filed in U.S. District Court, a special agent with the Internal Revenue Service alleged that Daniel had been involved in the "large-scale" sale of cocaine for at least five years.
An informant told authorities that Daniel started a towing business as a cover to explain his purchases of expensive vehicles, the total remodeling of his home and his vacation travel, according to the affidavit.
The informant said Daniel was making $8,000 to $10,000 profit on each kilogram of cocaine he sold, the affidavit stated.
According to the affidavit, Daniel began to sell most of his assets shortly after his interview with the IRS agent.
Daniel opened Roanoke Valley Auto at 2202 Williamson Road in Northeast Roanoke last year after selling his towing company. The affidavit says that authorities kept it under surveillance for several months, and many times observed people driving onto the lot, entering the office building, staying for a brief period and leaving without examining any vehicles on the lot.
Agents working for the Roanoke Valley Drug Task Force said they also observed Daniel selling a half-kilogram of cocaine to an informant with a hidden microphone. Police then entered the premises with a search warrant.
They seized the car lot, three adjacent lots and two houses in addition to the cars. The real estate is appraised for taxes at $93,000.
Daniel could receive life imprisonment if convicted.
Daniel had been under investigation by undercover police officers for about two years. Several informants bought cocaine from Daniel in the past year, authorities said.
by CNB