Six arrested during drug raid

Officers think drug traffickers from Chicago only operated a few days before they were busted.

The METRICH-MARMET Drug Task Force, assisted by the Marion City Special Response Team, the Marion Police Department and the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, discovered heroin and crack cocaine Wednesday afternoon.

Three were arrested on drug trafficking charges. Two more were arrested on drug possession charges. A sixth was arrested on a warrant.

Officers served a search warrant in the 500 block of Universal Avenue, uncovering 99 bindles of heroin, 4.5 grams of crack cocaine, $600 and a few prescription pills.

A 1996 Buick, which had been reported stolen, also was found during the search. The owner, a woman from Bucyrus, said the vehicle had been stolen from Walmart on Tuesday.

Maj. Bill Collins believed the trafficking group out of Chicago arrived in Marion around the beginning of the week.

“We always have some here from Chicago,” he said.

Some of the people arrested were out on bond for similar crimes committed in Marion, according to Collins.

“With great investigative work and tips from the Marion community, the Drug Task Force will continue to arrest those that choose to come to Marion to sell drugs,” Lt. Chris Adkins said.

The six people arrested during the raid were:
• Kierre D. Waterford, 24, from Lansing, Ill., arrested on charges of possession of crack cocaine, possession of heroin, receiving stolen property and a parole violation out of Cook County, Ill.

• Kevin Jackson, 22, Marion, formerly from Chicago, arrested on charges of possession of crack cocaine, possession of heroin and a bond violation.

• Darel Williams, 21, Harvey, Ill., arrested on charges of trafficking in heroin, possession of heroin and possession of crack cocaine.

• Omar Burks, 23, Harvey, Ill., arrested on charges of trafficking in heroin, possession of heroin, possession of crack cocaine and a bond violation.

• Mason Fry, 21, Marion, arrested on charges of trafficking in heroin, possession of heroin and possession of crack cocaine.

• Tamara Hudkins, 39, Marion, arrested on an outstanding warrant.

The arrest was the largest by METRICH-MARMET officials in 2014. The task force arrested Toriano Washington, 40, from Detroit, on charges of trafficking in heroin Jan. 21.

Originally published in the Marion Star on January 30, 2014.