Cocaine

A liquor store in downtown Hagerstown temporarily lost its liquor license Thursday after two employees were charged with using the store as a front to sell cocaine, according to a press release from the Washington County Task Force. Task Force agents and members of the Hagerstown Police Department, armed with a search warrant, went Thursday to Universal Liquors at 33 E. Franklin St., after two employees were accused of selling more than an ounce of cocaine to a confidential informant and an undercover narcotics agent earlier this month, the release said.

WILLIAMSPORT - Crack cocaine, prescription medications and drug paraphernalia were seized and four people were arrested after the Washington County Narcotics Task Force raided a Williamsport home Monday. Police said they carried out a search warrant at 9:20 p.m. at 17 W. Sunset Ave. Lee Edward Stine III, 45, a resident of the home, was charged with conspiracy to distribute controlled-dangerous substances, possession of cocaine, possession of marijuana, possession of controlled-dangerous substances paraphernalia and maintaining a common nuisance, police said.

The following people appeared in Washington County District Court and Washington County Circuit Court in July on alcohol- and drug-related charges: Charles Donald Dagenhart Jr., 32, of 13509 Paradise Drive, Hagerstown; driving while intoxicated; probation before judgment, 30 months probation, $275 fine. (Beachley) James E. Chappell Jr., 28, of 409 Cleveland Ave., Waynesboro, Pa.; driving under the influence of alcohol; probation before judgment, three years probation, $500 fine.

HAGERSTOWN -- The owner of a Hagerstown liquor store on Wednesday apologized to Washington County liquor officials for several incidents last year in which former employees were alleged to have used the business as a front to sell marijuana and cocaine. Sovann Najoe Chum, owner of Universal Liquors at 33 E. Franklin St., told the Board of License Commissioners for Washington County, known as the liquor board, that he was unaware of any drug activity. He apologized to the liquor board, saying that the employees accused of selling the drugs no longer work there.

FREDERICK, Md. -- Two men face drug charges and potential deportation after a traffic stop Monday night on U.S. 40, the Frederick County Sheriff's Department said in a news release. Jorge Luiz Orozco-Sandoval, 21, of Gaithersburg, Md., and Leobardo Cardenas-Galvez, 25, of Martinsburg, W.Va., each were charged with possession with intent to distribute cocaine, possession of cocaine and narcotics possession with intent, large amount, deputies said. Immigration and Customs Enforcement revealed the men are in the United States illegally because they entered without inspection, deputies said.

Several people, including the owner of several Hagerstown businesses, were charged Friday in connection with an ongoing drug investigation by multiple law enforcement agencies, the Washington County Narcotics Task Force said Tuesday. The task force, Hagerstown Drug Enforcement Administration and Maryland State Police executed search warrants in Chambersburg, Pa.; Winchester, Va.; Martinsburg, W.Va.; and Hagerstown on Friday, the task force said. About $8,000, two handguns, and an undisclosed quantity of cocaine were found, the task force alleged.

MARTINSBURG, W.Va. - Cocaine was the common denominator this week as five men entered guilty pleas before U.S. District Judge Craig Broadwater. All are awaiting sentencing on Feb. 24, 2003. U.S. Attorney Thomas Johnston said: Jonathan Michael Crawford, 24, of 419 W. Burke St., Martinsburg, pleaded guilty Monday to one count of distribution of cocaine in April at North High and East Burke streets. Free on bond, Crawford faces up to 20 years in prison and/or a $1 million fine.

martinsburg@herald-mail.com MARTINSBURG, W.Va. - Two men were charged Friday in connection with a case involving more than a pound of cocaine that was sold to undercover officers for $10,000, according to police. Eduardo Arturo Alverez Garcia, 21, no fixed address, was charged with one felony count of possession with intent to deliver cocaine and one felony count of distribution of cocaine. Victor Manuel Rodriguez, 23, of 265 Raging River Road in Falling Waters, W.Va.

MARTINSBURG, W.Va. -- Chief Judge John P. Bailey presided over 19 sentencings this week in U.S. District Court in Martinsburg. James Willis Daye, 42, of Martinsburg, 11 1/2 years in prison and three years supervised release, (career offender), distribution of cocaine. Louis Roberto Escobar, 30, of Martinsburg, four years in prison and three years supervised release, distribution of cocaine. Jenna Keyser, 23, of Union Bridge, Md., 10 months in prison and two years supervised release, aiding and abetting the making of a false statement in the acquisition of a firearm.