AHOSKIE – The Ahoskie Police Department, with assistance from the Down East Drug Task Force, has reported a pair of recent drug arrests.

APD Chief Troy Fitzhugh said that shortly past 7 p.m. on Dec. 13, a search warrant was served at a residence located at 315 West South Street. There, 23-year-old Valeriano Melendez IV was arrested and charged with possession with the intent to sell and deliver marijuana, maintaining a dwelling to keep a controlled substance, conspiracy to sell marijuana, and misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia.

Melendez was jailed under a $10,000 secured bond and has already made his initial appearance in Hertford County District Court.

APD officers involved in the arrest included Major Jimmy Asbell, Detective Sgt. Stephen White, Detective Justin Farmer and Patrolmen Tyler Burden and Austin Yeager.

Task Force agents on the scene were Chase Oliver, Tom Helms, Matt Roebuck and Martin Phelps.

“We thank the assistance of the Drug Task Force in helping to make this arrest,” Fitzhugh said.

The APD Chief also reported the arrest of an Ahoskie man on Dec. 17 who attempted to elude authorities after they attempted to make a traffic stop.

Fitzhugh said that around 9:30 p.m. on that date, Patrolman William Deans was attempting to stop a vehicle, but it took off on First Street (NC 561 West).

The driver, later identified as 33-year-old Keith Baron Urquhart II of Malibu Drive, eventually stopped his vehicle, exited and attempted to flee on foot. He was apprehended a short time later in the area of Forest Drive and Oriole Street.

Urquhart was charged with five felonies – possession with intent to sell and deliver cocaine, possession with intent to sell and deliver marijuana, possession with intent to sell and deliver a counterfeit controlled substance, maintaining a vehicle to keep controlled substances, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

He also faces five misdemeanor charges – carrying a concealed handgun, carrying a concealed weapon, resisting a public officer, failure to yield to a blue light and siren, and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Fitzhugh said the illegal drugs found in Urquhart’s possession were seized as evidence. Urquhart’s vehicle was also seized and impounded.

Urquhart was jailed under a $50,000 secured bond and has already made his initial appearance in Hertford County District Court.

Joining Patrolman Deans at the scene were Patrolman Clay Eure, Sgt. Michael Kellett and Sgt. Jeffrey Woodard.

“I command them all for a job well done,” Fizhugh said.