Investigation leads to Fremont drug arrests
By Gary Popp
Published in News on February 8, 2012 1:46 PM
FREMONT -- A man was arrested recently following a two-month long investigation into alleged drug activity taking place at his Fremont home.
Fremont police conducted a search warrant at the home of Tamarice Hill, 32, at 603 E. Vance St. at about 8 p.m. Feb. 2.
Fremont Police Chief Paul Moats said 30 crack rocks packaged for sale and 22 grams of marijuana were recovered from the home.
Hill was charged with felony possession of cocaine, possession with intent to sell and deliver cocaine, and maintaining a dwelling for the use and sale of controlled substance.
He was placed in the Wayne County Jail under a $10,000 bond.
When officers entered Hill's home, 12 people were in the residence, including Hill's two young children and their mother, and the air was filled with the smell of burnt marijuana, Moats said.
Moats said the individually wrapped portions of the crack cocaine were found in a large sandwich bag behind a sofa during the search.
He said the amount of crack cocaine is more than what is usually seen on the street level, but short of the trafficking threshold by approximately 6 grams.
Moats said the crack cocaine that was recovered from the home has a street value of approximately $700.
After authorities secured the home, each person was searched and their records were run for outstanding warrants.
Charlton Telford, 18, of 1528 Airport Road, in Pikeville was charged with misdemeanor possession of marijuana.
The marijuana was found in the sofa and Telford claimed it belonged to him, Moats said.
Eight lawmen were involved in the search of the home, including deputies with the Wayne County Sheriff's Office and officers with Pikeville police.
Moats said his department was initially notified of possible drug activity taking place in the home by concerned citizens in the area.
After receiving the input from the community members, an investigation was launched.
Moats said the investigation included conducting long hours of ground surveillance on the home, during which officers observed movements indicative of drug activity.
During the surveillance, vehicles would make brief stops at the home and individuals would come out of the residence and stick their hands into the vehicles, he said.
Moats said at least 11 vehicles coming and going from the home were stopped by officers during the investigation. He said nine of those stops resulted in drug charges.
He said the investigation and subsequent drug seizure and arrests show the department is determined to quell the drug activity taking place in Fremont.
"I think it effects the community very positively," Moats said of Hill's arrest. "We are coming in and helping people take the streets back."
He added that he believes the success of the investigation is largely due to the lines of communication he has opened with the community since taking over the department 10 months ago.
"It lets people know their information is being taking into consideration and we are acting on it when we can," he said. "And it sends a strong message that the town of Fremont has zero tolerance for this kind of activity in their community.
"I am very proud of the officers that went out and committed their time to this investigation by making good arrests and making proper documentation. They built the case from the ground up. Basically, that is what it takes, teamwork."