Three people arrested and several kilos of drugs seized by the Tri-County Task Force

Following a Tri-County Task Force operation in Charlotte County this week, several pounds of drugs were seized and several people were arrested, including a person wanted in Prince Edward County.

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 search warrants focused on a residence near the town of Keysville and “A Smoke Zone LLC” in the Charlotte Court House.

According to the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office, officers seized several pounds of marijuana, packaging materials and more than $31,000 in cash. Three people were arrested and charged as a result of the operation. Among them is 51-year-old Abdul R. Abuzaid of Keysville, owner of A Smoke Zone LLC. He is accused of marijuana trafficking and money laundering.

When asked about the money laundering allegation, Matthew Demlein of VSP said he could not comment further.

“The charges stem from an ongoing criminal drug investigation being conducted by the Tri-County Drug and Gang Task Force,” said Demlein, who works as public relations manager for VSP. “As the investigation is ongoing, we cannot release any further details.”

A look at the court records of the state of Virginia shows that this is the first charge against Abdul in the Commonwealth.

Two more charges

Additionally, 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 another charge in neighboring Prince Edward County, having failed to appear in court for a previous arraignment. 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, when the prosecutor decided not to pursue the charge.

The only other charge on Howard’s record is a traffic violation from earlier this year.

“I want to thank the members of the task force,” said Charlotte County Sheriff Randy Grissom. “The investigators, deputies, police officers and our district 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 innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

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

What is the Tri-County Task Force?

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

The Task Force is urging anyone with information regarding drug trafficking to contact the Tri-County Drug and Gang Task Force through the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office non-emergency line at 434-542-5141, Lunenburg County Crime Stoppers at 434-696-3100 or the Lunenburg County Sheriff’s Office at 434-696-4452.