Twenty-one people indicted in drug-trafficking ring in Norfolk

NORFOLK

Twenty-one people across the country have been arrested and charged in connection with a multi-state drug-trafficking operation, according to the U.S. attorney’s office.

Those charged live in Norfolk, Virginia Beach and Newport News, as well as other Virginia cities including Hopewell, Petersburg, Dinwiddie and Danville, and locations as far-flung as San Antonio; Newark, N.J.; Marietta, Ga.; and Birmingham, Ala.

The charges, unsealed Wednesday, include money laundering, distributing and possessing with the intent to distribute cocaine, and using a communications device during a drug-trafficking offense, among others.

If convicted, the defendants could face life in prison, as much as $4 million in fines, and forfeiture of drug-related property, according to the U.S. attorney’s office.

Local defendants include Terrol Spruell, 44, Larry Whaley, 31, Ranardo Miller, 19, and Allen Jones, 35, all of Virginia Beach: Thomas Epps, 49, of Norfolk; and Carlos Bailey of Newport News.