11 Charged In Raids of Drug Ring in Northwest; Guns, Cocaine Found in Homes [Correction 8/2/07]

D.C. police raided several homes early yesterday morning, takingdown a drug network that had been supplying the Takoma andBrightwood areas in Northwest Washington with crack cocaine,authorities said.

Vice officers arrested 11 people on warrants and confiscatedseven firearms, two bulletproof vests, four vehicles and about 100grams of crack, police said.

Police dubbed the raid "Operation Sesame Street" because one ofthe suspects, Elmer Morgan, 58, is nicknamed "Elmo."

Cmdr. Hilton Burton said police started looking into the matterwhen officers got complaints from residents who said drug dealersand users were disrupting the area around the 6800 block of GeorgiaAve NW.

"This will make a difference for people who live on thoseblocks," Burton said.

The warrants were executed about 3 a.m. at two apartmentbuildings on Georgia Avenue, plus two rowhouses in the 800 block ofButternut Street, a rowhouse in the 500 block of Butternut and arowhouse in the 700 block of Highland Avenue, police said.

In addition to Morgan, the arrested are: Rahen Ardel Wilson, 41;Julian Barnes, 43; Teresa A Harvey, 43; Benny L. Ragland, 44; AaronC. Charles, 27; Jimmy L. Grimes, 48; George B. Seaborn, 49; DarrellK. Carter, 49; Craig C. Hughes, 49; and Percell Wilkins, 41.

They were charged with various crimes, including drugdistribution and unlawful entry on property. Police said that theinvestigation is continuing and that they are still looking forother suspects in connection with the network.