Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, June 18, 1994 TAG: 9406210112
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: By MICHAEL STOWE STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Roanoke vice officers went to arrest Anthony Payton, 34, last week on a 22-count drug indictment out of Norfolk when they discovered 2.1 kilograms of crack cocaine hidden in a secret compartment of his 1985 Cadillac.
It's the largest seizure in the western half of the state stretching from Winchester to Big Stone Gap.
U.S. Attorney Robert Crouch said the drug agents didn't realize Payton had the crack when they stopped Payton, who was in town visiting friends.
"To my knowledge this was not something that had been targeted," he said.
The officers stopped Payton on June 10 while he was in a vehicle on 13th Street Northwest. Payton ran from the vehicle, but was soon caught by a patrol officer.
Roanoke police also seized $127,000 in cash and several weapons from Payton.
The total value of the seized items is estimated at $500,000. The government has moved to keep the money and two vehicles seized from Payton.
Payton, who was using an alias, was charged by the grand jury in Roanoke with two narcotics offenses, a firearms charge and making a false statement on his application for a court-appointed attorney.
He faces life in prison and a $5.5 million fine if convicted.
Crouch said he didn't know the exact amount of the largest crack seizure before this one.
by CNB