RADFORD CONTINUES CRACKDOWN ON DRUGS

Saturday, December 12, 1998 14 People Indicted By Grand Jury

RADFORD -Radford police said they will take some "major players" off
the city's streets after a grand jury indicted 14 people on drug
distribution charges this week.

Officers began rounding up suspects Thursday night after the grand
jury returned 31 indictments for distributing drugs, mostly crack
cocaine. The indictments include charges against two juveniles, police
said.

The charges stem from a yearlong police investigation of drug activity
in the city. The same investigation generated indictments against 18
Radford-area residents in September.

"I think we're making progress," said Radford Commonwealth's Attorney
Randal Duncan.

Radford Police Capt. Gary Harmon said Thursday's indictments targeted
more dangerous dealers than those charged in September.

"We feel like with this one, we've moved up to the next level," Harmon
said. "The first roundup dealt mostly with street dealers. This time,
we feel like we're dealing with some major players."

The indictments will remain sealed until police have all the suspects
in custody. Officers had arrested nine of the 14 suspects by Friday
morning, Harmon said. Arraignments are scheduled for Tuesday.

Distributing crack cocaine is a felony that carries a maximum penalty
of five to 40 years in prison and up to $500,000 in fines.

Radford police believe crack dealers carry weapons and pose a greater
threat to officers than most other drug dealers they encounter. Harmon
said officers confirmed that first hand Wednesday night when they
executed a search warrant at the residence of one of the teen -age
suspects. Harmon said police seized marijuana, cash and four guns from
the Downey Street apartment. The suspect tried to elude police by
jumping from a third-story window. Harmon said the boy was not
injured, but his desperate attempt to flee failed.

Harmon said the department will continue its investigation and expects
additional arrests. Duncan characterized the police effort as an
aggressive attempt to curb drug activity in the city.

"For years, we've been committed to investigating crimes of this
nature aggressively and prosecuting them aggressively, and I do feel
like we're making a difference," he said.

Checked-by: derek rea