Home Orange County: Gang task force arrests two, seizes $63K in narcotics, $32K in cash
State/National News

Orange County: Gang task force arrests two, seizes $63K in narcotics, $32K in cash

Crystal Graham
gang task force seizure Orange County
Photo courtesy of Culpeper Sheriff’s Office

The Blue Ridge Narcotics and Gang Task Force have concluded lengthy investigation with the arrest of two Orange County residents on Friday.

Rion J. Ward, 47, was charged with:

  • possession with intent to distribute schedule I/II narcotics (third offense)
  • possession of a firearm while in possession of schedule I/II narcotics
  • possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

Zakiyya D. Ward, 42, was charged with:

  • possession with intent to distribute schedule I/II narcotics
  • possession of a firearm while in possession of schedule I/II narcotics

Officers executed a search warrant on the 13000 block of Kendall Road in Orange County and seized:

  • 600 grams of cocaine (street value of $60,000)
  • 121 grams of marijuana (street value of $3,000)
  • three firearms (value of $1,500)
  • $32,920 in U.S. currency

Both individuals were taken into custody without incident and transported to the Central Virginia Regional Jail, where they are being held without bond, according to Virginia State Police.

The Blue Ridge Narcotics and Gang Task Force includes law enforcement personnel from the Culpeper, Fauquier, Orange, Madison and Rappahannock sheriff’s offices; Culpeper, Warrenton and Orange police departments; and the Virginia State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation, Culpeper field office.

Crystal Graham

Crystal Graham

Crystal Abbe Graham is the regional editor of Augusta Free Press. A 1999 graduate of Virginia Tech, she has worked for 25 years as a reporter and editor for several Virginia publications, written a book, and garnered more than a dozen Virginia Press Association awards for writing and graphic design. She was the co-host of "Viewpoints," a weekly TV news show, and co-host of Virginia Tonight, a nightly TV news show on PBS. Her work on "Virginia Tonight" earned her a national Telly award for excellence in television.