FBI-HPD DRUG BUST YIELDS INDICTMENTS

An 18-month investigation by the FBI and the Houston Police Department
in southeast Houston has resulted in the indictment of 19 people on
drug trafficking and conspiracy charges.

The investigation, begun in September 1997, focused on an area
surrounding Scott and Jefferson streets plagued with rampant drug
dealing involving mostly crack cocaine, the FBI and the U.S.
Attorney's Office said.

The FBI and HPD's South Central substation Tactical Patrol Unit played
major roles in conducting surveillance and obtaining evidence through
drug purchases, said Don K. Clark, head of the FBI here.

Authorities said an organized gang known as the "3400 Jefferson Crew"
employed adults and very young teens to sell crack cocaine.

A federal grand jury indicted 11 individuals May 5 while a Harris
County grand jury indicted eight people Wednesday.

The FBI arrested nine of the 11 suspects -- the other two were already
incarcerated on other charges -- while the HPD arrested two indicted
suspects, as six others were already jailed.

Under federal indictment on counts of drug dealing are Herman John
Fisher, 27, Emanuel Morris Fisher, 30, Douglas Wayne Burks, 36, Allen
Jones, 28, Isaac Andrus, 27, Elgin Carter, 29, Derrick Dwayne Powell,
28, Roderick Wayne Bradley, 35, Lorenzo Edward Jones, 27, Kenneth Paul
Davis, 22 and Lakisha Rogers, 21.

Herman and Emanuel Fisher, Burks and Jones were also indicted on
federal conspiracy charges related to drug trafficking.

A search of Bradley's home turned up a handgun, powder cocaine valued
at $54,000 and three-quarters of an ounce of crack cocaine,
authorities said.

Indicted on state counts of drug dealing were Torrey Wayne Myles, 27,
Tarsha Craft, 24, Marquel Demond Godron, 20, Terrell Tywaun Momon, 20,
David Tyrone Payne, 19, Van Richardson, 39, Lewis Robinson, 22, and
Lionel Cox, 18.

"We don't claim to have stamped out crime, but we've given the people
in this neighborhood some relief," said Clark.