Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, May 16, 1990 TAG: 9005160702
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B1 EDITION: EVENING
SOURCE: Laurence Hammack Staff Writer
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
A New York woman was arrested after she stepped off a commercial flight arriving at the airport and was charged with possession of cocaine with intent to distribute.
Police said the woman, 23-year-old Sandra Mise of Flushing, N.Y., was carrying $110,000 worth of crack when she was arrested.
Authorities would say only that Mise allegedly had the drugs "concealed on her person" and declined to elaborate. Police also declined to say where the woman's flight had originated.
The quantity of crack seized - about 16 ounces - exceeds the amount taken in an arrest Monday night at the airport.
In that case, a 15-year-old girl from the Bronx was charged with bringing about $90,000 worth of crack through the airport.
Although police have seized larger amounts of powder cocaine in Roanoke, the quantities involved in the two airport arrests are significant because crack is a more concentrated and potent form of the drug.
A "rock" of crack, which is usually about a tenth of a gram, sells for about $25 on the streets of Roanoke - the price authorities used in computing the street value of the drugs seized at the airport.
Because of the large amount that Mise is accused of possessing, authorities may transfer the case to federal court, where she could face a stiff, mandatory prison term.
However, the 15-year-old will remain in state court because federal authorities have no jurisdiction to try a juvenile. Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney Jeff Rudd has said he will ask that the juvenile be tried as an adult in Roanoke Circuit Court.
by CNB