Three People Arrested, Drug Pounds Seized by Tri-County Task Force

Several pounds of drugs were seized and several 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 were for 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, officers seized several pounds of marijuana, packaging materials and more than $31,000 in cash. Following this operation, three people were arrested and charged. That includes Keysville resident Abdul R. Abuzaid, 51, owner of A Smoke Zone LLC. He faces one count of distribution of marijuana and one count of money laundering.

When asked about the money laundering accusation, VSP's Matthew Demlein said he could not comment further.

“The charge stems from a criminal drug investigation conducted by the Tri-County Drug and Gang Task Force,” said Demlein, who works as a public relations manager for VSP. “As the investigation is still ongoing, we are unable to release additional details.”

A review of Virginia court records shows these are the first charges filed against Abdul in the Commonwealth.

Two other charges face

Additionally, Hood A. Abuzaid, 21, and Kyra Howard, 19, both of Keysville, were charged with distribution of marijuana to a minor as a result of the investigation.

Hood faces an additional charge in neighboring Prince Edward County because he failed to appear in court on an earlier charge. This is the second time in a year that Hood has failed to appear in a Prince Edward courtroom. The last time was on June 27, 2023, with a charge that the prosecutor ultimately decided not to pursue.

The only other charge on Howard's record is a minor traffic violation committed earlier this year.

“I would like to thank the members of the task force,” Charlotte County Sheriff Randy Grissom said. “(The) investigators, deputies, troopers and the 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 accused are presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.

“The Task Force and its partner agencies will continue to aggressively enforce Virginia’s drug laws and protect the citizens of our community,” he said.

What is the Tri-County Task Force?

So when we talk about the Tri-County Task Force, who are we talking about? The Tri-County Drug and Gang Task Force is comprised of narcotics investigators from the Charlotte County Sheriff's Office, the Lunenburg County Sheriff's Office and the 1980s Police Criminal Investigation Bureau. State of Virginia, Appomattox Field Office.

The task force encourages anyone with information about drug distribution to contact the Tri-County Drug and Gang Task Force via the Charlotte County Sheriff's Office non-emergency number at 434-542-5141, or Crime Stoppers of Lunenburg County at 434-696-3100. , or the Lunenburg County Sheriff's Office at 434-696-4452.