Police arrest two, seek third in heroin investigation
Published 9:09 pm Wednesday, January 26, 2011
After a four-month investigation, Suffolk Police arrested two suspects Wednesday morning and are searching for a third on warrants for distribution of heroin and weapons charges.
Malcolm Quinton Edmond, 37, and Jelisa Antoinette Lewis, 21, were arrested Wednesday morning on charges of possession of heroin with intent to distribute, conspiracy to distribute heroin and possession of weapon while distributing heroin.
Police are seeking William Genell “Messy” Mizelle, 30, on the same charges, as well as possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
About 30 to 35 officers participated in executing the search warrants at 5:35 a.m. at an apartment in the 100 block of Nancy Drive and a home in the 3300 block of Jackson Road, Suffolk Police Capt. Dean Smith said.
The officers seized about $2,000 worth of heroin, $52,000 in cash and seized bank accounts and $13,000 in weapons and electronics. They also recovered a small amount of marijuana, Smith said.
“They were surprised,” he added.
The six weapons included three handguns, two assault rifles and one long rifle. Seized property includes flat-screen televisions, at least six cell phones, an iPod and iPad, car rims and accessories, gaming systems and jewelry.
“They’ve been ringing off the hook,” Smith said of the cell phones.
The Special Investigations Unit had been actively working the case for four months, Smith said. Police had been receiving tips for years, he added.
Police found the heroin in the form of about 200 capsules, Smith said. Each capsule is roughly the same size as a Tylenol capsule.
The seized money will be put in escrow, and the seized property held, until it is legally determined to be proceeds from the drug trade, Smith said. Once that happens, the property will be auctioned off and the money will be split between the Suffolk Police Department, the Commonwealth’s Attorney’s office and the Department of Criminal Justice Services. The money must be used for law enforcement purposes.
“We appreciate them rolling the coins for us,” Smith said while displaying the seized money and property Wednesday. He added the banks had been cooperative with police.
Smith credited the arrests to the hard work of the special investigations unit.
“It wouldn’t happen without them putting in all the long hours,” he said.
Anyone who has information on Mizelle’s whereabouts is asked to call Crime Line at 1-888-LOCK-U-UP. Callers to Crime Line never have to give their names or appear in court, and may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000.