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Halls search warrant yields drugs and guns

Monday, January 19, 2009

Dyersburg State Gazette

The Halls Police Department and Lauderdale County Sheriff's Department joined forces to execute a late evening search warrant on Wednesday, Jan. 13, which led to the seizure of approximately 55.9 grams of crack cocaine, a small quantity of marijuana, one assault rifle, two handguns, two sets of digital scales, drug paraphernalia, $481 in US currency and a 1999 Lincoln Town Car. Pictured from left: Officer Jason Colvin, Investigator Richard Mauppins, Narcotics Investigator Terry Williams and Lauderdale County Deputy James Jones.
[Click to enlarge]

On Wednesday evening, Jan. 13, officers of the Halls Police Department, executed a search warrant at 428 North Wilson St. in Halls. The officers were led by Narcotics Investigator Terry Williams and assisted by Lauderdale County Sheriff Steve Sanders and his deputies.

During the search of the residence, officers seized approximately 55.9 grams of crack cocaine, a small quantity of marijuana, one assault rifle, two handguns, two sets of digital scales, drug paraphernalia, $481 in US currency and a 1999 Lincoln Town Car.

Edwin M. King, aka Mark King, has been charged with possession of schedule 2 with intent to manufacture, deliver, sell, possession of schedule 6, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of a firearm during commission or attempt to commit a dangerous felony, possession of a weapon by a convicted felon, alteration of an items permanent distinguishing numbers, sale or possession of such items, and theft of property.

"The investigation into the drug trafficking activities at this address began with numerous citizen complaints about this location," said Williams. "This will be an ongoing effort to make the town of Halls safer for our citizens and children by ridding the town of illegal drug activity."

"I encourage the citizens of Halls to band together to resist the people who would seek to destroy the lives of citizens with illegal drugs," said Halls Mayor Trent McManus. The mayor praised the Halls Police Department for their excellent work and The Lauderdale County Sheriff's Department for their help.

Comments

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Hmmmmmmmm,trained police officers sitting at a table with weapons pointing toward them.I declare!

-- Posted by lloyd49 on Mon, Jan 19, 2009, at 5:31 PM

James Jones on the front page as a Deputy. I bet everyone is loving that! Good job on that James.

-- Posted by speaking out on Mon, Jan 19, 2009, at 5:34 PM

they have it all laid out and described like it's an ebay auction for thugs

thats what you call buyer protection

-- Posted by jeramy on Mon, Jan 19, 2009, at 6:59 PM

people sit around and look at a newspaper from memphis 2 new york. i live in moores chapel, tn that is 1/2 way between trenton and milan tn. i look at this newspaper where i work which is now concepcion-chili south america. and two months ago i was in bermuda as in the island and before that e. tn and zeferhills,fl. and edwards a.f.base in ca. but people i was raised in roellen,tn and all i see on this site is people gripping about :make a deal phil: and your police chief thats down now and if all you have to do is read the state gazette just looking for something to b---h about then find you another hobby.some day i'll be back home and feel free to call or e-mail me because i'm known. you complain like i'm doing now just do this speak your peace and at the end sign your name biker 17 mike hill. roellen,tn.-moores chapel,tn

-- Posted by biker 17 on Mon, Jan 19, 2009, at 11:21 PM

hey biker 17, I've got relatives in Moore's Chapel - fine place. Halls is a great place too. Good job, HPD.

-- Posted by gb on Tue, Jan 20, 2009, at 4:41 AM

As much dope is in dyer co, should see a pic like this each week?

-- Posted by jscott on Tue, Jan 20, 2009, at 5:37 AM

why is when theres a bust most of the picturea they take have the officers posing with the drugs,guns,etc.?good job from all,but remember thats your jobs.why pose in a picture like you've won the lottery or something.i sure would'nt want my picture plastered up for the other drug dealers to see.

-- Posted by snooks on Tue, Jan 20, 2009, at 6:17 AM

You ignorant people who are making jokes need to count your blessings. These officers RISKED THEIR LIVES that night. THEY COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED WHEN THEY BUSTED DOWN THAT DOOR!!! All this for a bunch of ungrateful people.

-- Posted by danamarie81 on Tue, Jan 20, 2009, at 9:38 AM

JAMES JONES.....ONE THING ABOUT JAMES....LIKE HIM OR NOT, HE'S DEDICATED TO HIS JOB.....CAN'T KNOCK THAT....

-- Posted by DMASE on Tue, Jan 20, 2009, at 11:36 AM

GET THEM ALL!!!!!!!!! THANK YOU HPD

-- Posted by chief_ty20 on Tue, Jan 20, 2009, at 2:01 PM

U know as the sister to one of those officers I am proud of what they accomplished. they could have all been killed,yet they weren't. they only took some more poison and guns off the street. I say way to go BOYS! Keep up the good work,it is officers like them that we all need to ensure the safety of our children. instead of judging them u ought to be praising them!!!!

-- Posted by riverrat63 on Wed, Jan 21, 2009, at 10:44 PM

Hmmmmm, I have to say that I have a opinion here too. Yes these officers did take a huge risk in this situation. Yes Dyer County needs to have this take place, but what some of you arent realizing is that this arrest and Dyer County's dealers, users and makers link together, just wait and see then you will understand. I have high respect for these officers that are willing to take low salaries to risk their lives to take on such a task and attack the drug world. I have earned the right to say that because I am close to the drug world, brought into it by members of my own family. So the more these officers and the officers in Dyer County work and bring down more of these people the safer our counties will be. They are struggling everyday trying to accomplish the task of removing drugs from our communities and out of the reach of our children, family and friends, so therefore they should all be applauded for a job well done and please keep up the great work. THANK YOU TO EACH AND EVERY ONE OF THEM.

-- Posted by cookie529 on Wed, Jan 21, 2009, at 11:48 PM

I don't know about you, but I'm sick and tired of these minor (very minor) drug bust being splashed across the news media as if it will have an impact on the war against drugs. 55 grams a crack is about important as a handful of sand from the sea. This whole war on drugs is a joke. This stuff is coming into the country by the tons and they get headlines for capturing less than an ounce. This is a complete waste of taxpayer resources. If these officers want to really help the nation, let them find and arrest the bank officials that have gotten this country in such a financial mess. We need to invest in highly trained officers who understand all aspects of the law. Instead, they do only what the simplest of officers can do--speeding tickets and minor drug busts. Please, please, stop these ridiculous headlines.

-- Posted by SillyRickey on Sat, Jan 24, 2009, at 1:18 PM

Well, Silly Rickey, it might not mean much to you, but yes it does mean something. As a matter of fact 55 grams is something, first and foremost it can get you federal time in the amount of 7-10 years at servable 85%, believe me I know that to be fact and second is that 55 grams will not make it to the streets to our children. So it DOES mean something !!!! And also in my opinion it might be a small amount but everyone is always about get the big guy, take the main guy down, well how do you think that the big guy made it to that status, he started out as a little guy on the ladder, so the more of the little busts that are made prevents the bigger guys from getting bigger.

-- Posted by cookie529 on Sun, Jan 25, 2009, at 5:30 PM

Why does the criminal justice system use grams anyway? When you are caught speeding they use miles per hour, instead of meters per hour; when they talk about gasoline, they talk about gallons instead of liters; why the switch to the metric system when we talk about weight? Is it because the public won't understand that 55 grams weighs about as much as a golf ball? Is it so that the public will believe that you are winning the war on drugs? As far as the beat up old car and antique weapons on the scene, some poor sucker will do 7 to 10 year in prison, all in the name of the 'War on Drugs'. May God help us. We throw more people into prison than any country in the history of the world. All in the name of this stupid war on drugs that's been going on now for 40 years with NO RESULTS except misery for the people caught up in the criminal justice system. The millionaires at the top of the drug market go unnoticed and unpunished, while the poor suckers at the bottom of the chain remain the scapegoats for a system that does not work. Drug abuse should be considered a medical problem. We need to take the criminal justice system out of the process altogether.

-- Posted by SillyRickey on Wed, Jan 28, 2009, at 7:08 AM

SillyRickey, you made some good points. Set'em straight!! LOL

-- Posted by disowned&proud on Wed, Jan 28, 2009, at 11:19 AM

Good job boys! Remember, it's not always about the number of grams of powder you get off the street, it's about the suspects you can relate to those grams-and get them off the street!

And the more guns that are off the street, (especially in Mark Kings' hands) means the safer the surrounding community is, and the officers that serve it. I remember dealing with Mark numerous times, and glad to see you guys got him.. again!

M.C. Swims (#1477)

Patrolman

Atlantic Beach Police Department

Atlantic Beach, FL 32233

-- Posted by mswims on Thu, Mar 5, 2009, at 2:52 AM