ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Sunday, July 7, 1996 TAG: 9607080086
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: A-8 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: DIANE STRUZZI STAFF WRITER
When police first began watching local raves, the drug scene was wide open. LSD, Ecstasy and Special K - the street name for the animal tranquilizer ketamine - were readily available.
"People weren't really afraid" of being arrested in the beginning, said Detective Thomas Asbury II, who supervised the investigation by Roanoke's vice bureau.
"They were doing it in the parking lots," he said. "In the beginning, a bunch of us could have bought anything. But near the end, you didn't hear about anyone [selling]. All it took was a few arrests."
Within nine months, Roanoke vice detectives made 14 drug arrests among a group of ravers who ranged in age from 16 to 23.
"Personally, we've been successful in Roanoke city," Asbury said. "We were after drug dealers, period. Arresting drug dealers makes you successful. People know we're there. If they know we're there at every party, that in itself deters drug use."
Police continue to monitor the parties. They shut down a rave at the American Legion in Salem in May after one raver was charged with possessing cocaine and LSD with intent to distribute. The party's promoters also were charged with operating a dance party illegally.
So far, the biggest coup for narcotics detectives has been the arrest of Eric Q. McCoy. At times, the 21-year-old had been one of their most elusive suspects. Police had heard McCoy's name in conjunction with Ecstasy sales ever since raves became popular locally. In May 1995, he was arrested in Greensboro, N.C., and charged with selling the drug. As part of a plea bargain, the charge was reduced to possession and he was sentenced to probation.
In July 1995, Roanoke detectives secured a search warrant for McCoy's room at the Radisson Patrick Henry Hotel, where he had checked in under another name during a downtown rave. They found two pounds of marijuana and charged him with possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, but charges were dismissed when a judge ruled that a detective had improperly worded the search warrant.
Last month, federal drug agents persuaded one of McCoy's friends to cooperate in their investigation. According to a federal arrest warrant, they watched McCoy accept money the friend owed McCoy for drugs, then arrested him on charges of possessing cocaine, methamphetamine and Ecstasy, with intent to distribute the drugs.
McCoy is under house arrest, awaiting a likely indictment by a grand jury.
Raves have survived despite police scrutiny, say some in the scene. But the parties are smaller now, sometimes held in private residences.
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