The drug blitz covered Taylor, Franklin, Madison and Vance streets, Deputy Chief Adam Bondarek said following the morning and afternoon raids where multiple charges for crack and marijuana sales were made.
Officers seized marijuana plants and marijuana packaged for sale, along with crack cocaine and associated paraphernalia including scales. Two weapons were also seized, Bondarek said.
Demeco Lamont Richardson, 31, and his 33-year-old girlfriend, Melissa Day Richardson, were arrested at Melissa Richardson’s house in the 300 block of Taylor Street.
Demeco Richardson wasn’t arrested without a struggle, allegedly putting an eight ball of crack cocaine in his mouth and jumping off the porch where he kept two weapons. He was tackled and a struggle, which ended when he was shot with a Taser, ensued.
Bondarek said the boyfriend and girlfriend have criminal records for drug sales and related offenses. “Demeco Richardson has served active time in the department of corrections and due to his extensive criminal history and other factors uncovered by investigators, a federal law enforcement agency will be looking to indict him federally.”
Roanoke Rapids police charged Demeco Richardson with maintaining a dwelling to keep a controlled substance, two counts possession of a firearm by a felon, simple possession of marijuana, three counts of possession with intent to manufacture, sell and deliver cocaine, felony possession of cocaine and a drug equipment and paraphernalia violation. He was jailed on $150,000 bond and has a June 2 court date.
Melissa Richardson was charged with maintaining a vehicle, dwelling or place to keep a controlled substance and a drug equipment and paraphernalia violation. She was jailed on $15,000 bond and has a July 21 court date.
Captain Andy Jackson said investigation of the cases were launched by citizen complaints. “Citizen communication is an important aspect of community policing. If citizens want to take back their neighborhoods they have to help us. We can’t do it by ourselves.”
Information on the other cases is expected to be released Monday.
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