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A months-long undercover operation into the sale of illegal drugs in Hertford County ended last week when arrest warrants were obtained for 19 individuals.

Engaging in what they named “Operation Scrooge,” the Hertford County Sheriff’s Office and the Ahoskie Police Department were able to serve those warrants on 16 individuals on Dec. 8.

Those arrested were:

Leroy Woodley, age 50 of Murfreesboro, charged with one count of Possession with Intent to Sale/Deliver (PWISD) cocaine. Bond was $10,000;

Shykwan Hawkins, 23 of Roxobel, charged with two counts of PWISD cocaine, and one count of conspiracy to sell heroin. Bond was $10,000;

Thornell Powell, 43 of Murfreesboro, two counts of PWISD cocaine. Bond was $7,000;

Marcus Burden, 42 of the St. John community, two counts of PWISD cocaine. Bond was $7,000;

Brian Lassiter, 38 of Como, three counts of PWISD cocaine. Bond was $10,000;

Deron Flood, 43 of Murfreesboro, two counts of PWISD cocaine. Bond was $7,000;

Darwan Williams, 43 of Murfreesboro, two counts of trafficking cocaine, and one count PWISD cocaine. Bond was $30,000;

Donald Lassiter, 48 of Murfreesboro, one count of PWISD cocaine. Bond was $3,000;

Kurt Long, of Murfreesboro, three counts of PWISD cocaine. Bond was $10,000;

Darnell Lee, age and hometown are unknown, one count of PWISD cocaine, and one count of maintaining a vehicle to keep/store a controlled substance. Bond was $3,000;

Danta Eason, 42 of Ahoskie, three counts of PWISD cocaine. Bond was $9,000;

Tony Shearin, 45 of Aulander, one count of PWISD cocaine, and one count of PWISD heroin. Bond was $16,000;

Timmy Darden, 43 of Murfreesboro, three counts of PWISD heroin. Bond was $9,000; and

Percival Simons, 37 of Ahoskie, three counts of PWISD cocaine. Bond was $10,000.

Eason, Shearin and Simons were combined arrests between the Hertford County Sheriff’s Office and the Ahoskie Police Department.

As part of the operation, the Ahoskie Police Department also served arrest warrants on the following individuals:

Travis Devon Eley, 33 of Ahoskie, for two counts of PWISD cocaine; and

Tammy Michelle Sessoms, 33 of Ahoskie, for two counts of PWISD cocaine.

Meanwhile, arrest warrants are on file, but not yet served, on the following:

Thomas Mitchell, 53 of the St. John community, for two counts of PWISD cocaine;

Cody Hewitt, 26 of Ahoskie, for two counts PWISD heroin; and

Tommy Vaughan, 56 of Murfreesboro, for one count of possession of cocaine.

“I would like to thank my Narcotics Unit and Investigation Unit for the work they have done and are doing,” said Hertford County Sheriff Dexter Hayes. “And thank you to the men and women of the Hertford County Sheriff’s Office that assisted in process of serving the arrest warrants.”

Hayes said efforts such as ‘Operation Scrooge’ will continue and will focus on more than just illegal drugs.

“We will continue to investigate the gun violence in and around our county, violent crime, drug sales, gang activity, and property crimes…they all tied together,” he noted. “And remember, citizens, if you live in a area where there is criminal activity, you can call our E/911 Center and leave a tip so we can act on it. With your help we can make Hertford County a safe place for our families to live.”

“I want to thank the officers of the Ahoskie Police Department, Hertford County Sheriff’s Office, and the Down East Drug Task Force for their commitment to investigating those who sell illegal drugs in our community,” stated Ahoskie Police Chief Jimmy Asbell. “It takes partnerships with surrounding law enforcement agencies as we investigate most of the same individuals committing these crimes.”

Asbell stressed that the sale of illicit drugs is a corridor to the gang and gun violence currently affecting local youth.

“The Ahoskie Police Department is committed to providing proactive enforcement to make our neighborhoods and communities safer,” Asbell said. “We stand ready to partner with those who can help assist us in our ongoing efforts to offer outlets and paths to success that will make a difference in the lives of our youth.”