Pubdate: Thu, 20 Sep 2001
Source: Jacksonville Daily News (NC)
Copyright: 2001 Jacksonville Daily News
Contact:  http://www.jacksonvilledailynews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/216
Author: Jannette Pippin, Daily News Staff

SUSPECT KILLED DURING DRUG BUST IN CLAYTON

MOREHEAD CITY -- The heroin supply into Carteret County may have been cut 
dramatically following an out-of-town drug bust that ended tragically last 
weekend. Morehead City police said a drug suspect who was killed Friday 
after he fatally injured a Clayton police officer was allegedly a major 
supplier of heroin in the area. "Through an investigation here, there was 
information that the suspect killed was dealing a lot of heroin in Morehead 
City," said police Maj. Wrenn Johnson. Omar Garcia Fernandez, 27, was 
reportedly shot and killed outside of a fast food restaurant in Clayton 
after he backed his car over a Clayton police officer and dragged her 30 
feet while trying to escape. The bust in Clayton followed a reported tip 
from Morehead City police.

Johnson would not comment on the tip, but acknowledged that a local 
investigation revealed Fernandez, who had about $1,000 worth of heroin in 
his car in Clayton, may have been connected to drug activity here, she 
said. The local investigation had been under way awhile and resulted in the 
execution of a search warrant Friday at the home of 36-year-old Robert 
Delong, 36, on North 20th Street, Johnson said. Delong was arrested and 
charged with possession with intent to sell and deliver heroin, selling and 
delivering heroin, and maintaining a place to keep a controlled substance.

He was placed in the county jail under a $15,000 bond.
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