A suspected drug dealer's cell phone continued to ring after his arrest, leading drug investigator Nelson to more arrests. Drug dealers preparing to do big business Friday night got a wake-up call from Washington Police as officersraided homes and intercepted a large amount of drugs destined to be sold on the street that night.

When the arrival of government assistance checks lands on a Friday, Investigator Lt. J.D. Nelson said, drug dealers buy large quantities of drugs out of town and bring them into Washington for the expected boom in business that night.

Last Friday, Nelson said, an informant told police that convicted drug dealer Taurus Crew, now on probation, would be picking up some 10 pounds of marijuana in Atlanta and bringing it here to sell.

"We caught this individual selling drugs three years ago," Nelson said, "and he was on probation now." Part of Crew's probation was the "drug package" which allowed police to search his property at any time.

Police invoked that right, and timed the raid to catch Crew breaking up the large shipment to sell to street dealers. Probation officersAndy Edwards and John Lee joined Nelson, Lt. Robert Roca, Cpl. Philiph Perkins, and SP Tashike Jennings as they raided the home at 406 Salenist Street in Baltimore Friday afternoon about 5.

Lt. J.D. Nelson (front left) and Washington Police Chief Mike Davis show off the results of Friday's drug arrest. At rear (l-r) probation officersAndy Edwards and John Lee joined Cpl. Philiph Perkins, Lt. Robert Roca, and SP Tashike Jennings on the arrest. "As we went in the front door, Crew was flying out the back door, fleeing on foot with the suspected marijuana," Nelson said. Officersin the back yard made the escape a short one, and arrested Crew. He was charged with possession of marijuana with intent to distribute and possession of drug-related objects. He had nearly two pounds of suspected marijuana and some cash when he was captured.

As Crew was being booked into the law enforcement center, the cell phone that he had been using kept ringing, Nelson said. "We had people calling wanting a pound or two of weed all night." Washington police used the contact information on Crew's cell phone to get warrants for other drug raids later on.

Based on that information, police conducted a search of the residence of Larry Wingfieldat 110B Mercer St. and found marijuana, suspected cocaine, and a large amount of drug paraphernalia. Nelson said that Wingfieldalledgedly fledtown in advance of the raid, but is expected to turn himself in shortly to face charges of felony possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, possession of cocaine, and possession of drug paraphernalia.

They also arrested suspected drug dealer Derrick Barnett of 305 Carolyn St. with marijuana and some $3,000 in small bills. He was charged with DUI, possession of marijuana. "We caught him on the highway DUI," Nelson said, "and a search of his person revealed a small amount of marijuana and some $3,000 in small currency."

Nelson said that the department's efforts at drug interdiction would continue. "We want to send a message to the drug dealers in Washington. We won't stop until we clean you up - every one of you."

There have been other recent drug arrests. On February 20, parole officerMark Bryngleson and Wilkes County Investigator Jimmy Harrison arrested Clinton Willis, 24, of Moss Avenue in Tignall. He was charged with felony possession with intent to distribute and held on a parole violation. Jessica McGraw, 22, of Tignall, was also arrested and charged with possession with intent to distribute and held on $25,000 bond. That same night, two individuals, Lidamary Esther Munoz, 22, and Patrick Tamaris Willis, 21, were arrested and charged with simple possession of marijuana. They were released on $1,000 bond each.

Earlier, on February 15, Tignall Police OfficerGreg Rogers arrested Michael Walton, 22, of Jackson Street in Tignall. He was charged with possession of cocaine with intent to distribute; and with possession of marijuana with intent to distribute. No bond was indicated.

On February 9, Reco M. Ashmore, 24, of Elberton, was arrested by Wilkes deputies and charged with felony possession with intent to distribute and with misdemeanor possession of marijuana. He is held on $55,000 bond.

And on January 30, Zeffon Rashad Smith, 18, of Washington, was arrested by Wilkes County deputies and charged with felony possession with intent to distribute. He was held on $25,000 bond.