The Waynesboro Police Department has made several drug arrests recently utilizing its two prong offensive on the sale and use of illicit drugs in the community.
The Police Department’s approach by using the combination of patrol interdiction and covert drug investigations continues to show success since the Department’s shift towards a full scale assault on the drug trade two ago. These recent arrests are prime examples of how both tactics yield results and have a positive impact on the quality of life for Waynesboro citizens.
On May 19, the Waynesboro SWAT Team and Special Operations Divisions conducted a raid at 244 North Charlotte Avenue, which had a reputation in the community for being a “crack house” or “flop house” for crack cocaine users. Armed with a search warrant, officers entered the residence and found nine individuals. All of which were searched for narcotics. Three of the nine individuals: Taha Abdul Wahid, 58 years old of Afton; Kenneth Wayne Carter, 60 of Waynesboro; and Thomas Christopher Buie, 50 years old of the residence were arrested for Possession of a Schedule I or II Drug. All three are being held without bond at Middle River Regional Jail.
Upon further investigation, officers found that the residence was being rented with public assistance money. In accordance with federal law, the renter will lose HUD housing benefits upon a finding of guilt. HUD has a one strike policy for drug violations. The raid was the result of an ongoing drug investigation fueled by other recent drug activity in the area and neighborhood complaints.
On May 16 at 9:20 PM, an officer made a routine traffic stop on a 2000 Jeep Cherokee in the 2600 block of West Main Street. After detecting signs of drug intoxication the officers arrested the driver, Roland Edward Thornton, 48 years old of Goshen, for DUID. A search of his vehicle yielded a stash of methamphetamine and marijuana.
Thornton faces the following charges:
- Driving under the Influence Drugs
- Refusal of a Blood Test
- Driving on a Revoked License
- Possession of Methamphetamine
- Possession of Marijunana
Thornton is being held at Middle River Regional Jail
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Chris Graham
