The Montgomery Herald, Montgomery, W.Va.

Local News

March 10, 2009

Two arrested in Gauley on drug charges

By Matthew Hill

Gauley Bridge police arrested a pair of city residents early last Wednesday and charged them with several drug and firearms charges, Police Chief Sean Whipkey announced Thursday.

Richard J. Preast, 41, and Brandi N. Underwood, 27, were arrested after police executed a search warrant at 324 1/2 Main St. around 12:30 a.m.

Both were charged with sale of a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance, simple possession, conspiracy and drug paraphernalia charges. Preast was also charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm.

Preast and Underwood were transported to Southern Regional Jail (SRJ) to await arraignment.

Underwood remained incarcerated at SRJ Thursday, while Preast did not, according to the West Virginia Regional Jail and Correctional Facility Authority Web site.

According to Whipkey, police officers seized a street value of $10,000 worth of illegal prescription drugs and marijuana. They also recovered weapons, records of drug sales and a “considerable amount” of drug paraphernalia, Whipkey explained.

The raid was conducted by Cpl. C.L. Burkhamer and Patrolman W.B. Secrist.

Whipkey described the arrests as “a big blow to the drug traffic in Gauley Bridge” and added that his department is “geared and ready to combat and eliminate any illegal drug activity.”

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