Two-dozen arrests for drug possession and other crimes were made during an operation executed by the Southern Maryland Information Center (SMIC) on Jan. 11 between 2 a.m. and 5 a.m. at Thai Seafood located 2732 Crain Highway in Waldorf.

 The operation, which was funded by the U.S. Attorney’s Anti-Gang Grant, was organized in response to an increase in violent gang and drug activity in the parking lot of the establishment during weekend nights. It was a joint operation between the SMIC detectives, Charles County Sheriff’s patrol and K9 officers, troopers from the Maryland State Police La Plata Barrack and K9 and Gang units, and the Prince George’s County Police Gang Unit.

 In addition to the 24 arrests, the operation resulted in the recovery of two handguns and drugs and the service of three arrest warrants. Nine gang members were identified. Charges included possession of drugs with the intent to distribute, drug possession, possession of a concealed deadly weapon, disorderly conduct and the failure to obey lawful orders.

 As patrons arrived in the parking lot that evening, covert law enforcement officers conducting surveillance observed one person remove a handgun from his waistband and conceal it in his vehicle. After all the patrons had entered the business, police canvassed the parking lot in search of vehicles with drugs or weapons in plain view. With assistance from drug-detecting K9s, they identified suspect vehicles. When the business closed for the night and its patrons returned to their vehicles, police stopped them to investigate further. At the end of the operation, seven vehicles whose owners had been arrested were towed.

 Although Thai Seafood has security inside its establishment during the “go-go” events it hosts, the parking lot remains a public safety concern of the Charles County Sheriff’s Office.

 Between Oct. 1 and Jan. 13, not including the arrests made during the Jan. 11 operation, the Sheriff’s Office made 25 drug arrests, 15 arrests for possession of drug paraphernalia, one arrest for possession of a handgun and ammunition and one for a minor in possession of alcohol.

 Also during that period, the Sheriff’s Office responded to four reports of fights. Many of the fights involve between 50 and 60 people and have required up to nine officers to diffuse the situation and clear the parking lot.

 Prior to the Jan. 11 operation, SMIC detectives who analyze the arrest information discovered some of the people arrested for the fights are gang members. Three of the 24 people arrested during the operation are gang members and are among the nine gang members that were identified that night. Additionally, during the operation several large fights occurred in the parking lot after closing time and, in addition to the 23 officers already there, more patrol officers had to respond.

 During the planning stages of the operation, law enforcement officials in Prince George’s County notified the Charles County Sheriff’s Office of intelligence reports indicating a gang-related retaliatory shooting may occur at Thai Seafood, coincidentally on the night SMIC planned to execute the operation. When the Sheriff’s Office provided the details of the planned operation, the Prince George’s County Police Department’s Gang Unit agreed to participate.

 The following arrests were made during the operation:

- Erica Inez Brown, 18, of Capitol Heights for possession of marijuana 
- Jose Curtis Brown, 19, of Washington, D.C., for disorderly conduct and obstructing and hindering 
- Donta William Bush, 18, of Landover for a handgun violation 
- David Richard Copeland, 21, of Washington, D.C., for possession of marijuana 
- Michael Rodell Davis, 19, of Upper Marlboro for possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia 
- Joseph Duckett, 18, of Waldorf for Possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia 
- Bryan Durrell Fraley, 19, of Washington, D.C., for possession of marijuana 
- Barry Jerome Frasier, 18, of Upper Marlboro for possession of marijuana 
- Janelle Latice Holland, 18, of Upper Marlboro for possession of marijuana 
- Tache Nicole McDaniels, 20, of District Heights for assault and disorderly conduct 
- Ryan Jay Mills, 19, of Upper Marlboro for possession of marijuana 
- Matthew Maurice Payne, 19, of District Heights for possession of a handgun, marijuana and drug paraphernalia and possession with intent to distribute marijuana 
- Christopher Michael Pope, 19, of Forestville for possession of a handgun, marijuana and drug paraphernalia and possession with intent to distribute marijuana 
- Tonio Antwaun Powell, 19, of Capitol Heights for possession of marijuana 
- Tyrone Alexander Powell, 19, of Capitol Heights for possession of marijuana 
- Brennan Jordan Thomas, 18, of Hayattsville for possession of marijuana 
- Anthony Xavier Watkins, 19, of Upper Marlboro for possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia 
- Donnell Eugene Williams, 19, of Landover for a handgun violation 
- Joseph Luther Williams, Jr., 18, of Washington, D.C., for possession of marijuana 
- A 14-year-old Upper Marlboro boy for failure to obey a lawful order 
- A 15-year-old Upper Marlboro boy for possession of marijuana and an alcohol violation 
- A 16-year-old Landover Hills girl for assault and disorderly conduct 
- A 16-year-old Upper Marlboro boy for possession of marijuana 
- A 17-year-old Upper Marlboro boy for possession of marijuana