NEWBERRY COUNTY — A nearly yearlong investigation into an organized drug ring in Newberry ended Wednesday when officers served a search warrant on the base for the ring, seizing crack cocaine, cocaine, marijuana, and several firearms.
Three men were at 820 Taylor St. when officers with the Newberry County Sheriff’s Office, Newberry Police Department and South Carolina Law Enforcement Division served a search warrant just after noon Wednesday.
The three men fled the home but were caught within a short distance from the home.
Raheem Wadell Jackson, 22, of 516 Wright St. in Newberry, was charged with trafficking crack cocaine, trafficking cocaine, possession with intent to distribute marijuana, and possession of a weapon during a violent crime.
Telly Tomarkens Jones, 30, of 820 Taylor St. in Newberry, was charged with trafficking crack cocaine, trafficking cocaine, possession with intent to distribute marijuana, possession of a stolen firearm, and possession of a weapon during a violent crime.
Jermetres Rochard Kirkland, 22, of 820 Taylor St. in Newberry, was charged with trafficking crack cocaine, trafficking cocaine, possession with intent to distribute marijuana, and possession of a weapon during a violent crime.
A bond hearing was expected Thursday afternoon.
Undercover narcotics buys were made from the residence over the last several months. Additional charges and additional arrests are expected.
Officers seized four ounces of crack cocaine, nearly one ounce of cocaine, three ounces of marijuana, one rifle and five pistols, one of which was reported stolen from a Pomaria residence in March 2015. Officers also seized just over $1,000 in suspect drug money.
Newberry County Sheriff Lee Foster said the seizure of firearms – particularly those that have been reported stolen – validates the link between property crimes and illegal drugs in that drug addicts steal items like guns and then trade them for drugs.
“Many in our society would like to declare drugs a victimless crime,” Foster said. “I would like for them to understand the hurt and pain of the families who watch loved ones addicted to drugs and the fear that someone has in their own home when someone has burglarized their home simply to support their drug addiction.”
Foster said they identified one of the guns as stolen because the owner had supplied the serial number to investigators when it was reported stolen.
“I implore everyone to record serial numbers on their weapons and other items if it has a serial number,” he said. “It is the best possible way to identify property helping law enforcement to recover and return the property and great evidence toward the conviction of those responsible for taking and possessing your property.”
Roy McClurkin, chief of the Newberry Police Department, echoed Foster’s statements.
“We must work together to combat the illegal drug trade in our communities,” McClurkin said. “It is only when law enforcement agencies and the community work together that we can begin to take back our communities when drug dealer move in and try to take over.”
Foster encouraged residents – in the city and the county – to report any activity they deem suspicious. Those reports help lead to evidence that can be used to successfully convict those who are charged.
“The amount of evidence needed to gain a conviction in court in today’s society makes these investigations long and tedious,” said Foster. “However, we do not just want to charged them, we want to convict them. Often citizens think nothing is being done when the reality is we are hard at work behind the scenes.”
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