Category: Tony Spencer

“Operation Sunset” – Caroline County Sheriff’s Office Makes Numerous Drug Arrests

From the Caroline County Sheriff’s Office (PDF):

The Caroline County Sheriff’s Office continues their war on illegal drugs and distribution. According to Sheriff A. A. “Tony” Lippa, the mass arrest operation started at 5:30 this morning. The Caroline County Grand Jury met October 1, 2008 and issued 57 drug distribution related indictments against several individuals. These indictments are based on the continuing efforts of the Caroline County Sheriff’s Office Investigative Division with support from the Virginia State Police and the Drug Enforcement Administration.

The Caroline County Sheriff’s Office continued making arrests of suspected illegal drug dealers this morning as part of a year long undercover drug investigation. The Caroline Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Investigators, Special Emergency Response Team and troopers and special agents from the Virginia State Police began arresting suspects on October the 16th. when they executed two search warrants within Caroline County and arrested four suspects on drug distribution related charges. Both of these search warrants resulted in the seizure of cocaine with a street value of over $2,000.00, a .45 caliber semi-automatic handgun, over $8,000.00 in currency, weight scales containing white powder residue and two vehicles valued at $40,000.00.

This morning the Caroline County Sheriff’s Office continued the operation by executing two more drug related search warrants and arresting 15 additional suspected drug dealers on a total of 57 drug related indictments ranging from distribution of cocaine and conspiracy to distribute cocaine, to distribution of marijuana. The Caroline Sheriff’s Office Special Emergency Response Team executed a search warrant in the Ruther Glen area which resulted in the arrest of a suspect and the seizure of $3,000.00 in currency.

Caroline Narcotics Officers, assisted by the Virginia State Police Tactical Team executed a search warrant in the Cedon area which resulted in the seizure of cocaine with a street value of $2800.00, $2000.00 in currency, weight scales containing white powder residue and the arrest of a mother and son team accused of distributing cocaine.

Sheriff Tony Lippa stated, “This operation has been a success thanks to the citizens of Caroline County who have been willing to take a stand against these illegal drugs and help Investigators conduct such operations as this. We have made great strides in our fight against illegal drugs and more arrests are to come.”

Sheriff Lippa also credited the Sheriffs of Hanover, King George and Westmoreland Counties, the Colonial Beach Police Department, the Virginia State Police, the Alcoholic Beverage Control Police and the Drug Enforcement Administration for assisting in the execution of these warrants. Sheriff Lippa extends his appreciation and thanks to these citizens and law enforcement agencies who have provided such great assistance.

“This is an extensive on-going investigation and no further details will be released at this time,” said Sheriff Lippa.

Attached on the next few pages are photographs of each arrestee and their charges.

No word how much evidence was destroyed or many people eluded capture because the Commonwealth’s Attorney decided to blabbed to The Caroline Progress about how many sealed indictments he had.

Continue reading ““Operation Sunset” – Caroline County Sheriff’s Office Makes Numerous Drug Arrests”

Anyone else think it might not be wise to declare that you have 123 sealed indictments for drug offenses?

From this week’s edition of The Caroline Progress (p. A10):

In addition to this list [of grand jury indictments], another 123 sealed indictments were returned by the Grand Jury. The sealed indictments stem from a large narcotics investigation that will be culminating in multiple arrests said the Commonwealth’s Attorney Tony Spencer.

Now, I have a question: If you were one of the local drug dealers, and you heard that there were 123 sealed indictments that were going to be served in the coming days, wouldn’t it be a smart thing to skip town?

I don’t know ’bout you, but if I was a drug dealer (and I’m not, for the record), I would be taking an extended vacation in another state.

Say also, if I was a local drug dealer and thought I might be going [back] to prison for several years and decided to do the whole “You won’t take me alive!” thing, I might also invest in a couple weapons and body armor.

You know, the indictments are sealed for a reason and it doesn’t make good tactical or strategic sense to send a press release or statement to the paper saying you have those indictments.

It increases the risks involved for all those serving those indictments, as well as could result in evidence being destroyed by people that know they are going to get arrested.

And for what? To get your name in the newspaper?