CPD arrest four on narcotics charges
Stolen items and drugs were among the evidence police found.
Published Jan. 26, 2009
Four people were arrested Friday after the Columbia Police Department issued a narcotics search warrant.
The arrests happened at Gatehouse Apartments on West Broadway. Warrants were served concurrently at apartments 603 and 916.
Officers encountered two adult occupants in apartment 603, a CPD news release stated.
After searching apartment 603, officers found 23 grams of marijuana, a stolen computer and a .25 caliber handgun. The gun also had its serial numbers defaced.
Officers found an adult and three small children at apartment 916, the news release stated. Officers found one gram of cocaine and a stolen .22 caliber pistol at the apartment.
Two other adults arrived at apartment 916 while officers were still at the residence.
Vanessa Porter, 23, and Daron Peal, 21, were arrested at apartment 916.
Porter was arrested on suspicion of with felony possession of a controlled substance and Peal was arrested on suspicion of with receiving stolen property, felony in possession of a concealable firearm and felony child endangerment, the news release stated.
Regina Linzie, 33, and Daleron Monroe, 22, were arrested at apartment 603.
Both were charged with distribution of a controlled substance and possession of a firearm. Monroe was also charged with receiving stolen property.
CPD Sgt. Brian Richenberger said Monroe and Porter were charged with possession of drugs. Richenberger also said CPD is unsure to whom the children belong.
These crimes happen often in this area, CPD Capt. Stephen Monticelli said.
"The area itself had had problems with narcotics in the past year," Monticelli said.
Monticelli also said the area is having problems with narcotics and the apartment building itself has been an issue for the past year.
"This apartment building particularly has had problems with assaults and gunfire as of recent," Richenberger said.
Police have been investigating the apartment building for a while.
"The narcotics division had been requesting a warrant for the apartment for the past year and finally got it," Monticelli said.
All those who were arrested lived in the apartments. The case is still under investigation.
