SMALL TOWN HOSTS DRUG TURF WARS

Harvey Dealers Dying In Kokomo, Ind.

This year, a number of Harvey residents have been gunned down in "turf
wars" over the lucrative drug streets of Kokomo, Ind.

Kokomo police said they suspect the higher price of drugs in the small
central Indiana town drives the immigration wave from Harvey to Kokomo.

Kokomo police Lt. Jeffrey Kirk said a rock of cocaine is worth about
$50 in Kokomo, while the same drug sells in Harvey for about $10.

"We just recovered a substantial amount of cocaine from some Harvey
residents who recently relocated," Kirk said. "We asked them what
they're doing here, and they told us they are pursuing educational and
occupational opportunities."

Seven Harvey men have been charged with crimes in connection with drug
wars in Kokomo.

The most recent battle was also the messiest.

On April 16, the house of an alleged Kokomo cocaine dealer was sprayed
with bullets.

Later that night, Jeremy Wilson of Harvey was shot in the back while
he sat in his car, police said, likely in retaliation for the first
shooting.

Police said James Mailey of Harvey had a role in that shoot-out. Last
Friday, he was charged with criminal recklessness.

Thursday, Richard Listenbee of Harvey was charged with attempted
murder in connection with the shooting death of a Kokomo man Feb. 27.

"They're not just causing trouble; they're dying," Kirk said of Harvey
residents in his town.

David Nesbitt, 28, of Harvey was fatally shot in February. Kokomo
police charged Undray Dewayne "Dray" Wilson of Kokomo with Nesbitt's
murder.

"Dray's the only one from Kokomo we've charged," Kirk
said.

Kokomo police have a warrant out for Marlo Campbell, a Harvey resident
they believe has made his way back to his home city.

Harvey police Cmdr. Andrew Joshua said he was unaware of the recent
fights in Kokomo involving former and current Harvey residents.

Joshua speculated the many recent drug busts in Harvey have encouraged
some "players" to either get out of the business or move out of the
city.

"They're fed up with getting busted," Joshua said.

Still, Joshua said the price of drugs in Harvey -- as it is in other
Chicago areas -- is low because of competition. Small-town drug prices
are generally higher and put more money in the pockets of the dealers.

Joshua said he has heard of some former Harvey residents who would
purchase drugs in Harvey and then drive to small towns in Minnesota
and Wisconsin to sell.

Following the April 16 shootings, Jack Angelo Weisman and Nzinga
Maclin were charged with possession of cocaine and conspiracy to deal
cocaine, both Class A felonies.

Maclin and Weisman live in the house that was shot up. The pair had
recently moved to Kokomo from Harvey.

Toby Lashwan Lyons, 26, of Harvey, and Edmund Omar "Moe" Johnson, of
Alsip, also were charged for conspiring to deal cocaine. James
Nesbitt, of Harvey, was charged with criminal recklessness.

Kirk speculates the "Kokomo boys probably have gotten fed up with
Harvey boys" elbowing their way into the drug market, and they're
fighting back.