Newport News, Va. – A man wanted by the DEA in Alabama has been captured in Hampton by police and U.S. Marshals after five years on the run.
45-year-old Fernando Harris was wanted for his suspected participation in a drug conspiracy involving the possession of cocaine with intent to distribute.
Harris was one of 33 people alleged to have taken part in a major 138-count indictment which stretched through Northern Alabama, Texas, California, and Mexico. The suspects were charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 5 kilograms or more of cocaine, 50 grams or more of cocaine base (crack) and 100 kilograms or more of marijuana.
Approximately a week and a half ago, investigators with the U.S. Marshals Service Gulf Coast Regional Fugitive Task Force developed information which led them to believe that Harris was residing within the Marshals’ Eastern District of Virginia. Deputy U.S. Marshals in the Norfolk/Newport News office developed additional information which led law enforcement, including the Newport News and Hampton Police Departments, to a Hampton residence yesterday.
At approximately 3:00 p.m., investigators positively identified a man who exited the residence and drove away as Harris. Law enforcement officers followed Harris for approximately a ¼ mile before he pulled the vehicle over and began looking in the trunk of the vehicle. While he was distracted, law enforcement moved in and Harris was arrested without incident.
