Alleged leader of Va. drug ring indicted

NEWPORT NEWS, Va., Nov. 9 (UPI) -- Federal agents said a man indicted by a U.S. grand jury is the suspected leader of a major drug ring in Virginia's Hampton Roads region.

The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration alleges Cedric Montez Williams headed up a ring that distributed a ton of cocaine in Hampton Roads in a single year, The (Norfolk) Virginian-Pilot said Monday.

Williams was arrested in August and last Wednesday was indicted on three drug and firearms charges.

DEA agents said they began investigating Williams in January after learning he was allegedly operating a major drug ring out of Chesapeake and Newport News, Va.

After police in Newport News allegedly found 2.2 pounds of cocaine at the apartment of Williams' unidentified girlfriend in December, the suspect relocated to Greensboro, N.C.

According to a court filing, Williams later escaped from authorities in Greensboro, allegedly with 11 pounds of cocaine in his possession.

The Virginian-Pilot said Williams is scheduled for arraignment in U.S. District Court on Nov. 18.