Man arrested after March drug raid charged with attempt to distribute again
A man who was arrested after a March drug raid near a Columbia school has been charged with attempt to distribute a controlled substance once again.
Court records say Demetrius Woods was charged Wednesday with possession of a controlled substance except 35 grams or less of marijuana as well as possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance.
According to Columbia Police, Detectives with the Vice, Narcotics and Organized Crime Unit with assistance from the SWAT team served a search warrant at 14 East Forest Avenue on Wednesday, December 7. The warrant was a result of an ongoing investigation.
Inside the home, investigators say they found Albert A. Smith, 51, in a bedroom where they located 23 pills (specifically Acetaminophen and Hydrocodone Bitartrate). Detectives also found a marijuana grinder in the living room.
Smith did not have a prescription for the pills and was subsequently arrested for felony possession of a controlled substance and use or possession of drug paraphernalia.
Officers also found Cornelius Washington, 30, in a different bedroom, where they found approximately 2.13 grams of cocaine. Washington was subsequently arrested for felony possession of a controlled substance.
Two days later, police say they arrested Woods when he turned himself into the Columbia Police Department. He was arrested for distribution of a controlled substance near a school, felony possession of a controlled substance, misdemeanor possession of a controlled substance and use or possession of drug paraphernalia.
Police say the following items were found in Woods’ room at the home on East Forest during the search on Wednesday:
1) A clear baggie with approximately 3.18 grams of cocaine
2) A clear baggie with approximately .12 grams of cocaine
3) A digital scale
4) Five individual knotted baggies with a total of approximately .67 grams of cocaine
5) 20 pills, which were Acetaminophen and Hydrocodone Bitartrate
6) A clear baggie with approximately .44 grams of marijuana
7) A tray with a hollowed out pen and white residue, which tested positive for cocaine
ABC 17 News also obtained a probable cause statement for Woods’ arrest. Court documents say Woods possessed cocaine with an intent to distribute (a class B felony) and he also possessed hydrocodone (a class C felony).
Back in March, Woods was arrested after SWAT teams were called to a home for a drug raid near Garth and the Business Loop in central Columbia. At the time, Columbia Police told ABC 17 News that Woods, as well as Brandon Lewis, were both arrested for selling cocaine and marijuana near a school.
ABC 17 News has contacted Columbia Police for more information and is also working on obtaining a probable cause statement. We will update this story once we have additional information. We’ll also have a full report in our evening newscasts tonight.
