DATE: Sunday, March 30, 1997                TAG: 9703300116

SECTION: LOCAL                   PAGE: B2   EDITION: FINAL 

                                            LENGTH:   55 lines

COURTS & CRIME

PORTSMOUTH

One-night drug sting nets 11 suspects in crime-plagued area

PORTSMOUTH - A one-night ``sting'' operation involving local, state and federal officials netted 11 suspects Friday on cocaine possession and related charges.

Portsmouth Detective Jimmy Ennis said the arrests took place in a ``high-drug area'' in the 3500 block of Town Point Road, near Dunkirk Avenue.

The neighborhood was targeted for stepped-up enforcement by police, who said it had become overrun by drug dealers.

Those arrested were booked on 14 different charges, including drug and weapons charges and two counts of attempted vehicular assault.

Ennis said the assault charges resulted when one of the suspects, trying to flee, drove over the foot of a Chesapeake officer and struck an undercover narcotics officer's car. The Chesapeake officer suffered minor injuries, Ennis said.

The suspects are to be arraigned Monday morning in Portsmouth General District Court.

Taking part in the ``sting'' were officers from Portsmouth, Chesapeake, Suffolk, the Virginia Marine Patrol and the Navy Criminal Investigative Unit.

NORFOLK

State and local police cite dozens with traffic charges

Norfolk and state police late Friday night charged 69 motorists, four with driving under the influence and nine with reckless driving, at a checkpoint at the Berkley Avenue on-ramp to Interstate 264 East.

State Police spokeswoman Tammy Van Dame said 453 cars were stopped between 9 p.m. and 1 a.m. at the checkpoint.

In addition to the drunk driving and reckless driving charges, 13 drivers were issued summonses for driving without a license, 12 for driving on suspended licenses, 12 for equipment violations, four for failure to wear seat belts and four on other charges.

Police seek information on fatal shooting at party

Police are asking for help in solving a fatal shooting March 1 during a street-corner party at 41st Street and Killam Avenue.

The victim was Derrick Boone, 21, of the 600 block of Dunedin Road, Portsmouth, who was shot as he approached a black 1988-to-1992 model car with smoked windows. He died at Sentara Norfolk General hospital.

Police said the car was occupied by three black males and a black female.

Of special interest to police is the woman, described as between 17 and 20 years old, with a light complexion, brown or hazel eyes and unkempt hair.

Any information should be forwarded to the Crime Line at 664-4046 or to police investigator R.G. Ford at 664-7023. ILLUSTRATION: Sketch of woman wanted for questioning. KEYWORDS: DRUG STINGS DRUG ARREST ARREST

MURDER SHOOTING ASSAULT

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