IMPD Raids 3 homes, Arrests 4 Linked To Wheeler Mission Overdoses

INDIANAPOLIS – Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department (IMPD) Downtown Narcotics detectives and Flex Team officers performed three search warrants Thursday, Feb. 22 just east of downtown, leading to four arrests and seizing several handguns, pounds of marijuana, cash and drug paraphernalia, police officials say. According to IMPD officials, the arrests were a direct result of an ongoing investigation of the Wheeler Mission overdoses that took place on Jan. 30, 2018.

The related investigations leading to search warrants began after several people began overdosing on synthetic marijuana, known as spice (street name Katie), IMPD says, adding the drug dealers were mixing the synthetic marijuana with a chemical to increase intoxication levels. This in turn harmed downtown residents and taxed public safety resources, IMPD says.

Officials say detectives identified drug houses that were suspected in supplying lower level drug dealers who were victimizing the homeless population within the Downtown District.

According to IMPD officials, the following search warrants led to these arrests, and confiscation of five guns, almost 10 pounds of synthetic marijuana, more than $5,000 in cash and drug paraphernalia items:

RELATED: 2 Arrested As Nearly Two Dozen Overdose Near Indianapolis Shelter

2:45 p.m., 500 block North Keystone Avenue - Antonio Lamb, 26: Mr. Lamb was arrested and charged with dealing of a synthetic drug, escape, possession of a synthetic drug, and possession of marijuana, after detectives seized a large plastic tub filled with an estimated seven pounds of synthetic marijuana, a separate bag of the drug, marijuana, and a loaded handgun.

7 p.m., 300 block North Gladstone Avenue - Shamar Brown, 39, and Dominic Johnson, 32: Brown was arrested for an outstanding warrant for possession of marijuana and Johnson was arrested for an outstanding warrant for possession of an unlawful handgun charge. Detectives seized three plastic bags of synthetic marijuana/spice (1 ounce), two digital scales, and a stolen .45 caliber loaded handgun.

9 p.m., 600 block North Oxford Street - Chester Irons, 26: Arrested and charged with unlawful handgun possession, dealing of a synthetic drug, and possession of a synthetic drug. Detectives took a duffle bag containing large bags of synthetic marijuana, a loaded handgun, an electronic scale and an unknown chemical used to mix with the spice to increase the intoxication levels. They also took other bags of synthetic marijuana, several electronic scales, controlled pills, two more loaded handguns and $5,148.00 cash. In all, detectives seized nearly three pounds of synthetic marijuana during the search warrant.

IMPD continues to urge anyone with information to call Crime Stoppers of Central Indiana at 317.262.8477 or (TIPS).

More: IMPDnews

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