September 1, 1997
Police make
crack bust
in bingo hall
ROBERT MOHL
News Editor
POTECASI-- Police closed down an unlikely source for crack cocaine when they
raided a bingo parlor on Friday.
The raid at Potecasi Beach Blanket Bingo on State Road 1502, took place after
a months-long investigation. A father and son team were arrested at the scene.
"The bingo parlor was pretty much a front for cocaine sales," said Sgt.
Norman Smith of the Northampton County Sheriff's Department.
Smith, spokesman for the department, gave all the credit to Agent Eddie
Buffaloe Jr.
"He worked on this case all this year and a little of last year," said Smith.
"He grew up in that neighborhood, he asked for this case."
Arrested were Alfonzer Jefferson, 52, and his son Corey Dashawn Jones, 19,
also known as "Cool Aid."
Jefferson lived next to the bingo parlor. Jones attends St. Augustine College
in Raleigh and was home for the weekend.
Jefferson was charged with possession with intent to sell 22 doses of
cocaine, maintaining a place to keep controlled substances and possession of drug
paraphrenalia. He was held on $10,500 bond.
Jones was charged with possession of marijuana, maintaining a place to keep
controlled substances and possession of drug paraphrenalia. He was held on
$10,300 bond.
The pair are scheduled to appear in court on Tuesday. Police expect to make
an additional arrest in the case next week.
Neither Jefferson nor Jones offered police any resistance.
"He (Jefferson) just had this surprised look on his face," said Smith. "There
wasn't much running he could do."
After arresting the two the club was searched and money seized from the
register. A half-ounce of cocaine was found on Jefferson, police said. The search
then moved next door to Jefferson's house where police say they found marijuana,
scales and other drug paraphrenalia.
Police took over $900 in cash from the scene, much of it in loose change.
There were six other people in the club when police arrived at 6:30 p.m.
Smith said the business had "a pretty big crowd" on weekends.
"Most of the people who came there were not criminals," Smith said. "But it
also catered to individuals who went to buy cocaine."
According to reports filed by Buffaloe, about 25 people purchased drugs from
the bingo parlor. Many of them were street dealers in the Woodland and Potecasi
area.
Police are "working both ways" to arrest Jefferson's customers and supplier,
Smith said.
Buffaloe's investigation included drug buys by undercover agents.
Police assisting were David Story of Conway, Donald Ryan of Woodland, Larry
Bellangia of Rich Square, Teddy Sumner of the County ABC and state Alcohol Law
Enforcement Officer Brett Massey.
(
geocities.com/rjmohl)