Two men were apprehended on Tuesday by officers from the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department's Southwest District Violence Reduction Team (VRT), alongside detectives from the Violent Crime Task Force (VCTF). The arrests followed a narcotics investigation leading to the seizure of a large quantity of illegal drugs and firearms, including an automatic weapon conversion device, as detailed in a Facebook post by IMPD News.
In a statement obtained by IMPD News, officials reported that Richard Watkins, 33, and Howard Harris Jr., 25, face charges related to drug and firearm offenses that culminated with the execution of a search warrant on Tuesday. The warrant was issued after officers observed suspicious activities and a narcotics transaction at a residence and several vehicles on the 5800 block of Westbury North Drive.
IMPD's K9 unit, specialized in narcotics detection, assisted in the recovery effort that included 9 firearms, approximately 400 grams of methamphetamine, 355 grams of fentanyl and suboxone, more than 6,000 grams of marijuana, nearly 1,000 grams of psilocybin mushrooms, 50 bottles of THC syrup, among various drug paraphernalia. Officers also confiscated over $34,000 in cash.
Watkins has been charged with dealing and possessing methamphetamine, possession of a firearm by a serious violent felon, possession of a machine gun, and possession of marijuana. Harris Jr.'s charges include dealing a controlled substance, dealing marijuana, and possession of both marijuana and a controlled substance. The final charging decisions will be made by the Marion County Prosecutor’s Office, and it should be noted that an arrest and a charge are merely accusations. Both Watkins and Harris Jr. are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
