Philpot said a search warrant was served at a home south of Vian as a result of cooperation and intelligence-sharing among local law enforcement agencies.
Officers said when they arrived at the home, they saw a high-tech video-audio surveillance system in operation. Officers reported that the surveillance system was monitoring any approach made to the residence and gave the occupant advance warning of unwanted visitors, such as law enforcement officers, Philpot said.
Kenneth Dale Washington Jr., 33, was arrested after a search of the home uncovered substances appearing to be crack cocaine and a loaded firearm.
Washington faces charges of possession of a controlled dangerous substance with intent to distribute, possession of a firearm while in commission of a felony, and being a felon in possession of a firearm. Washington was released from the Sequoyah County Jail in Sallisaw on a $15,500 bond.
The Vian and Sallisaw Police Departments and the Oklahoma Highway Patrol participated in serving the search warrant.
Officers at the scene reported that crack cocaine is something they don't come across often. They noted that while it has been present in the county for many years, it doesn't have the presence that methamphetamine has among local users. Officers said that this is most likely because all cocaine is imported into the area.
Philpot said that "crack" is a street term for a smokeable form of cocaine. The name "crack" comes from the cracking and popping sound it makes when it's burned. Information provided by the Drug Enforcement Administration states that in the smokeable form, the chemicals hit the brain much faster than when used in the powder form, Philpot said. According to the administration's information, when the drug is smoked, the chemicals affect the user's brain within 10 to 15 seconds as opposed to the 10 to 15 minutes it takes when used in the powder form.
Philpot said the intense high produced by crack makes it highly addictive, both mentally and physically.
