THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, February 2, 1996 TAG: 9602020420
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B5 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: METRO BRIEFS
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: Short : 28 lines
A 21-year-old man charged with dealing drugs as part of a Portsmouth drug ring pleaded guilty to two charges in federal court Thursday.
Andre Lamont ``Dre'' Branche could face life in prison for possession with intent to distribute and distributing crack cocaine from June 1993 to December 1995.
Branche, scheduled to be sentenced on May 3, is one of seven gang members accused of selling drugs in the River Edge Apartments, the area of the Zippy Mart on Hartford Street, and the Mini Mart on Hartford Street.
Since 1993, members of the drug ring, allegedly led by Robert Lee ``Tubbs'' Winfield Jr., threatened and intimidated apartment residents, according to court records. Residents have also been shot, beaten and robbed.
Members of the gang, arrested last year, were the first major result of a federal task force whose aim was to curb violence in Portsmouth.
KEYWORDS: DRUGS ILLEGAL GUILTY PLEA by CNB