RIDGEWAY – A pair of Ridgeway men were arrested last week after narcotics investigators with the Fairfield County Sheriff’s Office raided a home on Qualls Road, seizing drugs, weapons and cash.
Almonzo Lamar Belton, 32, and Marcus Jermaine Mobley, 29, were arrested May 9 at Belton’s home on 1979 Qualls Road. Belton was charged with possession with intent to distribute cocaine base, possession with intent to distribute cocaine, possession of marijuana and possession of two controlled substances – hydrocodone and oxycodone. Mobley, of Weldon Lane, was charged with possession of marijuana. He was also wanted for an outstanding Fairfield County Magistrate’s Court bench warrant.
Sheriff Herman Young said the investigation began at the grass-roots level, with complaints from the community triggering action.
“This is a fine example of law enforcement and the community working together to target illegal drugs,” Young said.
Although the amount of drugs seized from the home were relatively small – 6 grams of cocaine, worth approximately $450; 1 gram of crack cocaine, worth approximately $60; marijuana worth an estimated $50; and $100 in prescription medications – Capt. Brad Douglas said it’s not always the size that matters.
“These were not drug kingpins,” Douglas said, “but if it’s in your neighborhood, it’s a major problem.”
Douglas said the investigation was launched over a month ago and involved undercover agents making controlled buys from Belton inside the home. Investigators also recovered a shotgun, a handgun and $450 in cash from the home during the raid.
