AHOSKIE – Eight grams of cocaine are off the street and two alleged drug dealers are behind bars thanks to the Ahoskie Police Department here Thursday evening.

Acting upon information received from an anonymous caller, APD officers were able to locate and arrest Darryl McCoy Winborne, 25, of 725 North Academy Street, Ahoskie and 19-year-old Erwin Leon Hendrix Jr. of 519 Bluefoot Road, Ahoskie.

Both men were charged with one count each of possession with intent to sale and deliver crack cocaine and powered cocaine, conspiracy and resist, delay and obstruct (a law enforcement official in carrying out their duties). They were transported to the Hertford County Jail where each is incarcerated under a $55,000 secured bond.

Ahoskie Police Chief Troy Fitzhugh said the APD dispatcher received an anonymous call late Thursday afternoon.

&uot;The caller passed along information that tipped us off to a vehicle traveling within the town limits that contained a large quantity of drugs and cash,&uot; Fitzhugh said. &uot;That information also included the make and model of the car, the vehicle’s license plate number and the direction of travel.&uot;

Acting upon that information, APD Sgt. Brian Knowles and APD Officer Eric Smith began a search for the vehicle. It was spotted traveling along Academy Street in the north end of town. The two lawmen initiated a traffic stop on the vehicle at the intersection of Academy and Alton streets.

At that time, Knowles and Smith approached the vehicle, noticing two subjects inside. Knowles asked the driver (Hendrix) to step out of the vehicle. As Knowles approached the passenger’s side, he noticed that subject (Winborne) tightly clutching something in his hand, holding his hand near his lap.

&uot;Upon asking Mr. Winborne what was in his hand, the subject leaned over towards the driver’s side and passed what was in his hand out the window to Mr. Hendrix, who was still standing next to the driver’s side door,&uot; Fitzhugh reported. &uot;At that time, both men fled on foot.&uot;

Knowles went after Winborne and was able to overtake the man. However, a struggle ensued, one aided by a woman who had approached the two men on foot.

&uot;Sgt. Knowles was forced to use his baton to subdue the suspects,&uot; Fitzhugh said.

Meanwhile, Officer Smith chased Hendrix. During the chase, Smith observed Hendrix tossing an item on the ground. After overtaking and arresting Hendrix, Smith returned to the area where he made the observation and recovered a baggie containing crack cocaine and powered cocaine.

It was later determined that a total of eight grams of drugs were discovered. Also discovered was $653 in cash, money that was found on Winborne.

The female – Kemesha Marquita Winborne, 21, of 112 Rogers Lane, Ahoskie – involved in the scuffle was also arrested. She, the sister of Darryl Winborne, was charged with resist, delay and obstruct and released into the custody of her mother.

&uot;We appreciate the information that was passed along to us concerning these individuals who allegedly are involved in illegal drugs here in Ahoskie,&uot; Chief Fitzhugh stated. &uot;It has to be a community effort to deal with this problem and we will take any and all information and act upon that information. With the help of our citizens, we together will continue this fight against illegal drugs in our town.&uot;

Chief Fitzhugh also commended his officers and the police dispatcher in carrying out their duties in a professional manner.