NORFOLK — Police swept the streets of Hampton Roads Wednesday in a gun and drug sting that ended with more than two dozen arrests.
The raid, dubbed “Operation Riptide,” yielded more than 50 guns, including handguns, shotguns and assault rifles. Eighteen of the guns had destroyed serial numbers or were stolen, according to a news release from the U.S. Department of Justice.
Officers and deputies from the state police, Norfolk, Virginia Beach, Chesapeake and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms also seized 170 grams of heroin, 65 grams of powder cocaine, 290 grams of crack cocaine and a bullet-proof vest.
A dozen people were arrested and charged federally. Ten of those people are convicted felons and seven are allegedly members of the United Blood Nation gang. More than a dozen other people were also charged by the state.
“Operation Riptide” was the brainchild of the ATF, Virginia State Police, Norfolk Police Department and the U.S. Attorney’s Office. It began in the fall of 2016 as an investigation in which the agencies identified more than 30 Hampton Roads residents who were illegally selling guns and drugs.
The federal arrests include:
- Leonard Lee “Leo Brixx” Brickhouse, 24, Norfolk: possession of a firearm; distribution of a controlled substance; possession of firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime
- Joseph Maurice “Joe” Dobey, 38, Norfolk: distribution of a controlled substance; felon in possession of a firearm; possession of firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime
- Jason “Hoodro Wilson” Gilliard, 32, Virginia Beach: conspiracy to manufacture, distribute and possess with intent to distribute heroin; distribution of heroin; possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
- Adrean “Ace” Lemont Hall, 24, Virginia Beach: felon in possession of a firearm.
- Maurice Owen “Dink” Johnson, 28, Norfolk: felon in possession of a firearm; distribution of cocaine; possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
- Lamare Pierre “L” Jordan, 30, Norfolk: conspiracy to manufacture, distribute or possess with intent to distribute heroin; distribution of heroin; possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime
- James “Murdok” Lamb, 28, Chesapeake: felon in possession of a firearm; possession of a firearm with obliterated serial number.
- James Andre “Big Buff” Martin, 44, Norfolk: distribution of a controlled substance; felon in possession of a firearm.
- Darryl “Little Darryl” Moore, 28, Norfolk: felon in possession of a firearm.
- Kejuan Dante “KP” Perry, 25, Chesapeake: Convicted felon in possession of a firearm; distribution of cocaine; possession of firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
- Keone Devon Perry, 23, Chesapeake: transfer of firearm to prohibited person.
- Carl Lee “CJ” Walton, 22, Virginia Beach: felon in possession of a firearm.
