The Register-Herald, Beckley, West Virginia

Local News

March 19, 2013

Drug roundup leads to 10 arrests in Raleigh County

By Sarah Plummer Register-Herald Reporter

State, county and local law enforcement officials rounded up a group of individuals on federal warrants for drug dealing Tuesday, said Sgt. Gant Montgomery, Beckley Police Department’s chief of detectives.

The 12 warrants come as part of the U.S. Attorney Office’s Pill Initiative and 10 people were arrested Tuesday.

Montgomery said the attorney’s office has taken a zero tolerance stance. “If you sell in Raleigh County, you will be caught.”

Police said similar drug round-ups can be expected every few months.

These indictments are the result of several investigations by varies law enforcement agencies.

Participating in the roundup were West Virginia State Police, U.S. Marshals Service, Raleigh County Sheriff’s Department and Beckley Police Department’s Drug Unit and uniformed officers.

Jeffrey Rhodes, 40; Ronald Mason, 35; and Brian Ruffin, 28, were arrested Tuesday morning by Beckley Police. Sean Lockett, 41, turned himself in to Beckley Police Department around noon.

David Bryant, 44; Chad Lovelace, 29; and Tony Bennett, 55, were indicted on federal drug charges and were already housed in Southern Regional Jail.

Barrett Smith, 26; Anthony Leftwich, 25; and Nara Ray, 36, were arrested Tuesday morning by the Raleigh County Sheriff Department’s Drug Unit.

Those indicted Tuesday will appear in federal court for an upcoming preliminary hearing.

— E-mail: splummer@register-herald.com

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