Several pounds of drugs were seized and multiple people arrested, including one wanted in Prince Edward County, after a Tri-County Task Force operation in Charlotte County this week.
On Wednesday, May 29, the Tri-County Task Force worked with the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office and Virginia State Police to execute a series of search warrants in the area. The warrants focused on an apartment near the Town of Keysville and “A Smoke Zone LLC”, located in Charlotte Court House.
According to information from the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office, deputies seized multiple pounds of marijuana, packaging materials and more than $31,000 in cash. As a result of the operation, three people were arrested and charged. That includes 51-year-old Keysville resident Abdul R. Abuzaid, who owns A Smoke Zone LLC. He faces one count of distribution of marijuana and one count of money laundering.
When asked about the money laundering charge, VSP’s Matthew Demlein said he couldn’t comment further.
“The charge stems from an ongoing criminal drug investigation being conducted by the Tri-County Drug and Gang Task Force,” said Demlein, who works as a public relations manager for VSP. “Because the investigation remains ongoing, we are not able to release any additional details.”
A look through Virginia court records shows this is Abdul’s first charges in the Commonwealth.
Two more face charges
In addition, 21-year-old Hood A. Abuzaid and 19-year-old Kyra Howard, both of Keysville, were charged with distribution of marijuana to a minor as a result of the investigation.
Hood faces one additional charge in neighboring Prince Edward County, as he had failed to appear in court on a previous charge. This marks the second time in a year where Hood failed to appear in a Prince Edward courtroom. The last time was June 27, 2023, with a charge that the prosecutor eventually decided not to pursue.
The only other charge on Howard’s record is a misdemeanor traffic violation from earlier this year.
“I would like to thank the task force members,” said Charlotte County Sheriff Randy Grissom. “(The) investigators, deputies, troopers and our Commonwealth’s Attorney for their assistance in this successful investigation.”
Grissom added that the investigation is ongoing and he expects more charges to be added in the coming days. He reminded residents that the defendants are presumed to be innocent until proven guilty in court.
“The Task Force and its partner agencies will continue to aggressively enforce Virginia’s drug laws and safeguard the citizens of our community,” he said.
What is the Tri-County Task Force?
So when we say the Tri-County Task Force, who are we talking about? The Tri-County Drug and Gang Task Force is composed of narcotics investigators from the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office , Lunenburg County Sheriff’s Office, and the Virginia State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation Appomattox Field Office.
The task force encourages anyone with information on the distribution of drugs to contact the Tri-County Drug and Gang Task Force through the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office non-emergency number at 434-542-5141, Lunenburg County Crime stoppers at 434-696-3100, or the Lunenburg County Sheriff’s Office at 434-696-4452.
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