Two men under surveillance by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives were arrested by the West Virginia State Police on Saturday.
Kareem M. Neal, 39, and Curtis K. Neal, 41, are each charged with possession with intent to distribute cocaine, possession with intent to distribute heroin, persons prohibited from possessing firearms and conspiracy to commit a felony.
About 1 p.m. the state police were notified by the ATF that the Neals — under active surveillance — purchased two firearms via private sale at the Mylan Park Gun Show and left traveling east on Chaplin Road in a black Dodge Caliber, according to a criminal complaint. The ATF said the two had criminal histories including robbery, drug sales and violent felony convictions.
About 20 minutes later, several troopers stopped the Dodge Caliber, driven by Curtis, ordered the two men out of the vehicle and handcuffed them, the complaint said.
Troopers smelled a strong marijuana odor and searched the vehicle while the Neals were placed into an ATF vehicle, the complaint said.
A Ruger LCP .380 ACP handgun and a 9mm Hi-point handgun were found in the front passenger floorboard, a glass jar with marijuana was found in the glovebox and two cell phones in the center console, the complaint said. Troopers also found a burnt marijuana joint or blunt was found in a cigarette pack in Kareem’s pants.
The two were arrested and taken to the department for processing, according to the complaint.
Curtis was searched again after a trooper noticed his pants were unzipped and a plastic bag with heroin and cocaine was found in his groin area, the complaint said. The bag contained 40 folded “stamps” of suspected heroin, worth about $800, and a large plastic bag with about $600 in suspected cocaine. Three Viagra tablets were also in the bag.
ATF agents said a recording device captured the Neals discussing the drugs in Curtis’ groin while the two were being held in the ATF vehicle. Kareem attempted to remove the bag from Curtis’ pants but was “successful on numerous attempts.”
Both men have several felony convictions in New Jersey.
They are being held in North Central Regional Jail in lieu of $65,000 bond each.
