Washington

News Release

For Immediate Release

Contact: Traci Hughes (202) 727-4383

September 17, 2009

METROPOLITAN POLICE AND DRUG ENFORCEMENT ADMINISTRATION

SEIZE THOUSANDS IN CASH AND DRUGS IN SE TAKEDOWN

Washington, DC – The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD), the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Washington Division Office, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office announced today the arrests of 23 suspects for the possession and distribution of narcotics.

The DEA Mobile Enforcement Team (MET), a joint operation of MPD and DEA, has been targeting violent drug related crime in the Parkland Park neighborhood of Southeast DC in the Seventh District since May 13, 2009. MET has been targeting violent offenders who are trafficking in crack cocaine, heroin, PCP, and marijuana in this neighborhood. MET quickly determined that drug trafficking took place in this neighborhood at all hours of the day and night. In addition, MET is dismantling the sources of supply who provide the drugs and guns to the violent drug crews. MPD’s Narcotic and Special Investigations Division (NSID) and MET have executed ten search warrants and made 23 arrests of suspects for numerous offenses, including distribution and possession of crack cocaine, heroin, PCP, and marijuana, and seized drugs with a street value in excess of $89,000. Three guns and nearly $80,000 is cash was also seized.

“Where there are drugs there is crime, and this neighborhood has been plagued by both,” said Chief Cathy L. Lanier. “As Chief, I have a responsibility to this community to make sure the people who live here can do so peacefully and without fear. Today’s takedown clears this neighborhood of the crews who are tied to the much of the violence here.”

“This continued show of force and zero tolerance approach taken by DEA and our partners in the Metropolitan Police Department sends a strong message to those engaged in drug trafficking, violent crime, gun, and gang activity that this type of behavior will not be tolerated. Together, DEA and MPD will vigorously pursue these criminals and lock up those engaged in such violence and illegal conduct,” said Ava Cooper-Davis, DEA Special Agent in Charge Washington Field Division.

The primary mission of MET is to disrupt and dismantle violent drug trafficking crews/organizations and their drug and gun sources of supply.

Anyone with information about crimes that occur in the District is asked to call the police at 202-727-9099 or 1-888-919-CRIM [E]. Anonymous information may also be forwarded to the DC Crime Solvers Unit at 1-866-411-TIPS and to the department’s TEXT TIP LINE by text messaging 50411. If the information provided to Crime Solvers leads to an arrest and indictment, that caller will be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000.

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At 2100 hours, Guardian Angels Jordan Estrada and Taylor Smith arrived at China Town/Gallery Place for patrol.

At 2150 hours, we responded along with MPD officers to a call of dissorderly conduct at the Red Velvet Cupcake establishment on the corner of 7th and E streets. We shielded for MPD officers and directed civilian traffic around the scene of the arrest. We assisted officers Caroline Hodges and Sean Rooney in detaining the individual and completing the arrest.

At 2258 hours we responded along with MPD officers to reports of a fight inside the Gallery Place mall but found the situation resolved upon our arrival.

At 0000 hours, we responded to a disturbance inside the Metro Station on the greenline platform. A large group of juveniles rushed the escelator from each side, meeting in the center and causing havoc. We assisted in dispersing the crowd and restoring order. The instigators of the distrubance fled the scene and we persued them along with Metro Transit officers. We did not apprehend them.

At 0015 hours, we disbanded the patrol without further incident.

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At 2100 hours, Guardian Angels Jordan Estrada and Delanta Cowens met at China Town/Gallery Place for patrol.

At 2138 hours, we responded to a situation on the 7th street steps along with multiple MPD and Metro Transit officers. Officers had firearms drawn and were detaining a large group of juveniles suspected of criminal activity on the sidewalk in front of the steps. Numerous bystanders were fleeing the scene while other groups were crowding around and heckling the police. Angel Cowens and myself immediately posted on the officer’s south flank, blocking off the sidewalk leading up to the scene. We rerouted civilian traffic until the situation was resolved.

At 2156 hours, we shielded for Metro Transit officers at the corner of 7th and H streets while they detained an individual for disorderly conduct.

At 2330 hours, we posted up inside the metro station where a large group were loitering in order to deter any criminal activity with our presence.

At 0015 we disbanded the patrol.

At 0020 hours, as I was leaving the scene of the patrol, MPD officers were confronting several individuals at the bus stop on the corner of 7th and H streets. MPD officer Pitzen hailed me, asking me to find a Metro Transit officer. I located several Metro Transit officers around the corner, who were detaining another individual. One of them went to speak to officer Pitzen, and I took his place on scene until the detained individual was released.

Jordan Estrada
Patrol Leader

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At 2030 hours, Guardian Angels Jordan Estrada, Jeff Cargill, and Delante Cowens gathered at China Town/Gallery Place for patrol. We proceeded to hand out Guardian Angel fliers, talk to citizens about the mission and work of Guardian Angels, and conduct recruitment.

At 2049 hours, a female pedestrian gave us a crime tip about a male pedestrian, informing us that he had been involved in an assault on a bus. We passed on this information to MPD officers, asking them if there had been any reports of an assault, or if they were searching for an individual matching the provided description.

At 2115 hours, a fight broke out at the 7th and H metro exit. We were the first responders on site and separated the combatants. Angel Cowens immediately detained one assailant at the scene, while Angels Estrada and Cargill assisted MPD and Metro Transit officers in pursuing the second. Angels Estrada and Cargill detained the second assailant at the corner of 7th and F street. We turned both individuals over to the police, who released them with a warning.

At 2135 hours, we shielded for metro transit officers while they detained and question an individual at the 7th and H metro street exit. While this process was occurring, Metro Transit officers arrested a second individual for threatening an officer. We assisted Metro Transit officers in blocking off the area and rerouting civilian traffic.

At 2215 hours, we assisted a disabled individual onto the metro access bus.

At 2245 hours, we posted up at the 7th street bus stop, where a number of juveniles were engaging in disorderly behavior. We talked to them, verbally pacifying the situation.

At 2345 hours we responded to a disturbance inside the metro station along with Metro Transit officers, who invited us to accompany them. We posted up in the station to deter any criminal activity.

At 0010 hours, we disbanded the patrol without further incident.

Jordan Estrada
Patrol Leader

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