DELMARVANOW STAFF REPORT

A massive, long-term investigation into drug sales on Virginia's Eastern Shore has ended with dozens of criminal indictments, state police said Wednesday.

On July 12, local, state, and federal law enforcement joined forces to assist the Eastern Shore Drug Task Force with the conclusion of a 16-month investigation, Sgt. Michelle Anaya, a spokeswoman for Virginia State Police

The long-term undercover narcotic investigation, "Operation Firecracker," was conducted by the Eastern Shore Drug Task Force, consisting of personnel from the Accomack and Northampton County sheriff's offices and the state police.

Operation Firecracker resulted in 50 indictments on drug related charges for over 100 separate counts involving; heroin, cocaine, crack cocaine, prescription drugs and felony firearms violations, state police said Wednesday, July 26.

Various enforcement efforts were used to saturate the entire Eastern Shore in an effort to locate the individuals that were wanted for the drug offenses to included, four traffic checkpoints in Northampton County and 16 home visits by Probation and Parole, police said. A total of 102 sealed indictments were served in Accomack and Northampton County.

In addition to the indictments, police said, 131 traffic summons were issued, six other outstanding warrants were served, one person was charged with driving under the influence and one person was charged with being intoxicated in public.

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The three-day enforcement effort was made successful by the following law enforcement agencies that participated in the operation; the Accomack and Northampton County Sheriff’s Office, the Virginia State Police, the Virginia Department of Corrections (District 4 Probation & Parole), the Drug Enforcement Administration (Norfolk Resident Office), the ATF, and local law enforcement from Eastville, Exmore, Cape Charles, Chincoteague, Onancock and Parksley Police Departments.

Along with the participation of various law enforcement agencies, state police said, much credit is given to the cooperation of the citizens of Accomack and Northampton Counties, for the timely capture of the majority of the wanted subjects and for the close working relationship with the Accomack and Northampton County Commonwealth Attorney’s Offices in pursuing these types of cases.

Police are still looking for three people in connection with the "Operation Firecracker" investigation:

-Devon Hinmon, 26, of Atlantic, Virginia

Charge: Distribution of Heroin

-Dewayne Walker, 34, of Painter, Virginia

Charge: Distribution of Cocaine

-Andrew Cornell Johnson, 39, of Exmore Virginia

Charge: Distribution of Cocaine

If you have any information in relation to the whereabouts of Hinmon, Walker or Johnson please contact the Eastern Shore Drug Task Force at 757-414-0746, the Accomack County Sheriff’s Office at 757-787-1131, or the Northampton County Sheriff’s Office at 757-678-0458.