NORFOLK, Va. (WVEC) -- Agents with the Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives worked alongside state and local police in a major operation Wednesday.
Dozens of people were arrested for their roles in selling drugs and guns around Norfolk. Twelve defendants are in custody on federal charges, while more than a dozen were arrested on state charges.
Members of the Virginia Beach Police Department's SWAT Team assisted in serving a warrant in Twin Canal Village Apartments. The complex is located near the intersection of Lynnhaven Parkway and South Independence Boulevard.
A spokesman for the Norfolk Police Department confirmed that police activity at Entertainment Galore on Old Ocean View Road and activity at a location on Easy Street were related to the operation.
"This historic operation represents our commitment to making the streets of Norfolk as safe as we can," said Dana J Boente, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia. "Illegal firearms are the principal tools employed in the deadly cycles of turf battles and gang conflicts that deprive out neighborhoods and families of the peace and security that we treasure as Americans."
The office's Twitter account also acknowledged the effort in a tweet.
We are partnering with federal, state, and local law enforcement on a major operation today in Norfolk. Details coming later today.
— U.S. Attorney EDVA (@EDVAnews) March 1, 2017
Operation Riptide began in the Fall of 2016. The ATF worked with the Norfolk Police Department, Virginia State Police, and prosecutors from the U.S. Attorney's Office and the Virginia Attorney General's Office.
More than 30 people were identified as suspects illegally selling firearms, heroin, and/or other narcotics.
Because of the operation, over 50 guns, including three assault rifles and two sawed off shotguns, were recovered. Officials also found over 170 grams of heroin, 65 grams of powder cocaine, 290 grams of crack cocaine, and a bullet proof vest.
Ten of the federal defendants are previously convicted felons, while seven are allegedly part of the United Blood Nation gang.
"Deadly heroin overdoses and the recent spike in gun violence remain serious concerns in Hampton Roads," said Attorney General Mark Herring. "This kind of unified, coordinated response to emerging public safety threats is exactly why I invested OAG resources in the Hampton Roads region."
- 24-year-old Leonard Lee Brickhouse aka "Leo Brixx"
- Felon in Possession of a Firearm
- Distribution of a Controlled Substance
- Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Crime
- 38-year-old Joseph Maurice Dobey aka "Joe"
- Distribution of a Controlled Substance
- Felon in Possession of a Firearm
- Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Crime
- 32-year-old Jason Gilliard aka "Hoodro Wilson"
- Conspiracy to Manufacture, Distribute and Possess with Intent to Distribute Heroin
- Distribution of Heroin
- Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Crime
- 24-year-old Adrean Lemont Hall aka "Ace"
- Felon in Possession of a Firearm
- 28-year-old Maurice Owen Johnson aka "Dink"
- Felon in Possession of a Firearm
- Distribution of Cocaine
- Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Crime
- 30-year-old Lamare Pierre Jordan aka "L"
- Conspiracy to Manufacture, Distribute, and Possess with Intent to Distribute Heroin
- Distribution of Heroin
- Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Crime
- 28-year-old James Lamb aka "Murdok"
- Felon in Possession of a Firearm
- Possession of a Firearm with Obliterated Serial Number
- 44-year-old James Andre Martin aka "Big Buff"
- Distribution of a Controlled Substance
- Felon in Possession of a Firearm
- 28-year-old Darryl Moore aka "Little Darryl"
- Felon in Possession of a Firearm
- 25-year-old Kejuan Dante Perry aka "KP"
- Convicted Felon in Possession of a Firearm
- Distribution of Cocaine
- Possession of Firearms in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Crime
- 23-year-old Keone Devon Perry
- Transfer of Firearm to Prohibited Person
- 22-year-old Carl Lee Walton aka "CJ"
- Felon in Possession of a Firearm
This is the list of 16 individuals arrested on state charges:
- Walter Andrew Banks
- Harvey Bray
- Tyler Marke Edmonds
- Omar Kishaan Epps
- Benjamin Ervin
- Alexander David Freeman
- Lashawn Deonte Hall
- Catherine Hill
- James Edwards Hill
- Micchael Jackson
- Ikea Jones
- Urein Tonez Joyner
- Fred Joseph Littel, Jr.
- Corey Tonail Mills
- Ayanna L. Reid
- Donna Michelle Small
This is the list of 15 people arrested and charged in state court on firearm and narcotics charges:
- Andrew Walter Banks
- Harvey Bray
- Tyler Marke Edmonds
- Omar Kishaan Epps
- Ervin Benjamin
- Alexander David Freeman
- Lashawn Deonte Hall
- James Edwards Hill
- Michael Jackson
- Ikea Jones
- Urein Tonez Joyner
- Fred Joseph Little Jr.
- Corey Tonail Mills
- Ayanna L. Reid
- Donna Michelle Small