Arrest Made for Distribution of Narcotics, Possession of Controlled Dangerous Substance and Fugitive from Justice - News Release

NEWS RELEASE

City of Takoma Park Police Department

* 7500 Maple Avenue * Takoma Park, Md 20912



For more information contact:

Public Information Officer (PIO)

Catherine Plevy, 301/891.7142 or 240/338.2901



April 11, 2013 (9:22 p.m.)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Chief Alan M. Goldberg from the Takoma Park Police Department announces the arrest of William Franco, 42, of Silver Spring, Maryland, for Distribution of Narcotics, Possession of Controlled Dangerous Substance (CDS) Marijuana and as a Fugitive from Justice.

During 2010, Narcotics Detectives from the New York Police Department (NYPD) began an investigation into Franco. Throughout the course of the investigation, Franco sold CDS Heroin to an undercover NYPD detective. When officers attempted to take Franco into custody, he fled and escaped capture. While on the run, Franco made his way to Montgomery County, Maryland.

In March 2013, a confidential informant (CI) provided information to detectives from the Prince George’s County Police Department (PGPD) Narcotics Enforcement Division (NED) that Franco was selling Marijuana in Takoma Park, Maryland. PGPD detectives contacted the Special Investigations Division (SID) and a joint investigation was initiated. Several "buys" were conducted from Franco, both in Montgomery County and Prince George’s County, Maryland. The investigation led detectives to Franco’s residence in Silver Spring, Maryland.

On April 10, 2013, members of the Drug Investigative Unit (DIU) and the PGPD NED, with the assistance of the Montgomery County SWAT team, executed a search warrant at Franco’s Silver Spring residence. Franco was located inside the residence and taken into custody without incident and transported to the Montgomery County Central Processing Unit. Various items of evidentiary value were located in the residence which were impounded.

On April 11, 2013, the Bronx, New York, District Attorney’s Office filed for and received an indictment/arrest warrant for Franco. Franco will be extradited to the State of New York.

This was a great collaborative effort between the Takoma Park Police Department, Montgomery County Police Department, Prince George’s County Police Department, the specialty units within these departments, as well as the New York Police Department and the Bronx District Attorney’s Office.