News Release
Courtesy of the Shreveport Police Department
July 20, 2005

Police Bust Drug Trafficking Ring

JUL 20--Citizens of Shreveport should be celebrating today, as several of the city’s major drug dealers and violent offenders have been taken off the street.

Federal indictments were brought against eight people. All but one was arrested today on multiple counts of conspiracy and drug trafficking. Agents arrested another person on weapons charges, and warrants on two others are still outstanding.

The arrests were the culmination of months of intense investigation as part of a special effort dubbed “Operation: Big Mook.” Agencies involved in this investigation included the Shreveport Police Department, the Caddo–Shreveport Narcotics Unit, the DEA Drug Task Force, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

In addition to drug distribution, several members of this criminal organization have been known to have violent tendencies that could be linked to local incidents of violence.

“This group was identified as part of a long, successful operation. It was a take down of a major drug trafficking ring that had a propensity toward violence,” Chief of Police Mike Campbell said.

Campbell said other investigations are underway right now to rid the city of others who operate similar criminal enterprises, and that they too will be brought to justice.

“If this is what you do, our intent is to target you, investigate you and put you away for a long time,” Campbell said. “It may take awhile, but when we get you, we will take down your whole group and ensure that you are locked up for a long, long time.”

Many hours of investigation and surveillance took place to make today’s arrests possible. Part of the investigation included the use of a hidden camera dubbed the “Mooretown Camera,” because it was purchased with the support of Councilman James Green, whose council district includes Mooretown.

Those arrested on drug and conspiracy charges Tuesday included:

• Chevell M. Hamilton, 27, of Shreveport. He is charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute powder cocaine and crack cocaine; possession with intent to distribute crack cocaine, possession of a firearm in relation to a drug trafficking crime, and unlawful use of a communication facility.
• Bobby Ray Snow, 23, of Shreveport. He is charged with the same crimes as Hamilton.
• Vito R. Watkins, 31, of Shreveport. He is charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute powder cocaine and crack cocaine; possession of a firearm in relation to drug trafficking crime; and unlawful use of a communication facility.
• Terry Moore, 25, of Shreveport. He is charged with conspiracy to possession with intent to distribute powder cocaine; and unlawful use of a communication facility.
• Albert Pegues, (pronounced Pea-gez), 34 of Wiley, Texas. He is charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute powder cocaine; unlawful use of a communication facility; and forfeiture.
• Ardis D. Brown, 41, of Dallas, Texas. He is charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute powder concaine; unlawful use of a communication facility; distribution of cocaine powder.
• John E. O’Neal Jr., 25, of Shreveport. He is charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute crack cocaine; possession with intent to distribute crack cocaine; possession of a firearm in relation to a drug trafficking crime; and unlawful use of a communication facility.
• Derick D. Chambers, 27, of Shreveport. He is charged with felon in possession of a firearm, possession of Schedule II and possession of a firearm in relation to a drug trafficking crime.

Agents also arrested Santino Ellis, 30, of Shreveport for being a felon in possession of a firearm. Still wanted on weapons charges are Paul B. Washington, 24, of Shreveport, who is wanted for felon in possession of a firearm and

During today’s arrests, agents seized an AK-47, a fully-loaded SKS rifle with a 100-round drug magazine, a Winchester .22 rifle with ammunition, two .38 revolvers with ammunition, a 12-gauge shotgun with pistol grips, several magazines for Glocks and SKS rifles, SKS ammunition, a suppressor (also known as a silencer), and a small amount of marijuana.

Several others who were not arrested today could be soon, as officers continue to round up members of this crime family. The Shreveport Police Department will continue to provide new information as is becomes available.