Narcotics investigation nets cache of guns, drugs

Three suspects face multiple charges

A Warren Police Special Narcotics Unit investigation that began last month has netted a cache of drugs and weapons and three people have been charged in connection with multiple crimes.

Brian Allen Mathews, 33, of Detroit; Thomas Phillip King, 34, of Clinton Township; and Lisa Doss Lawrence, 54, of Clinton Township were all arraigned in 37th District Court on April 10 in front of Judge Michael Chupa.

“This was a fluid investigation that was successful due to the constant communication and teamwork between two law enforcement agencies investigating multiple related suspects,” said acting Warren Police Commissioner Charles Rushton.

King is charged with one felony count of delivery/ manufacture of cocaine/ heroin, 450-999 grams; two felony counts of conspiracy to commit controlled substance delivery; one felony count of delivery/manufacture of cocaine/heroin 50-499 grams; one felony count of delivery/manufacture of methamphetamine (20 year felony); and one felony count of fleeing and eluding.

King pleaded not guilty to all charges and Judge Chupa set bond at $1 million cash/surety due to King’s criminal history and status on Federal probation.

Mathews was also arraigned at the 37th District Court where a not guilty plea was entered. Judge Chupa set his bond at $500,000 cash/surety due to previous felony convictions for drug-related and other crimes. He is charged with one count of delivery/ manufacture of cocaine/ heroin 50-449 grams and one count of delivery/manufacture of methamphetamine, both 20-year felonies.

Lawrence pleaded not guilty to felony charges of fleeing and eluding; delivery/manufacture of cocaine/heroin 450-999 grams; delivery/manufacture of cocaine/heroin 50449 grams; conspiracy to commit controlled substance delivery 450-999 grams and two counts of felony firearm.

Judge Chupa set cash/ surety bond at $200,000.

According to a press release from the Warren Police Department, Warren SID officers investigated reports of a male reportedly selling large quantities of narcotics throughout Macomb County and were able to positively identify the seller as a convicted felon who is currently on Federal probation for various drug trafficking and weapons offenses.

On April 4, Warren patrol officers observed the suspect and another male inside a vehicle loitering near area hotels and attempted to affect a traffic stop on the vehicle. A pursuit ensued during which the suspects discarded narcotics, which were retrieved by the officers once the identities of the vehicle occupants were confirmed and the chase was terminated.

Officers recovered 100 grams of cocaine and nine grams of fentanyl which had been discarded by the suspects during the pursuit.

Based on information gathered from the pursuit and the ongoing investigation SID, officers performed surveillance on an address in Clinton Township believed to be associated with the suspect and the vehicle which had just fled from officers. Officers observed a female exit the residence with two large duffle bags and assault rifles in hand.

This female then entered a separate vehicle and left the scene.

Warren officers contacted members of the Clinton Township Police Department for assistance. Warren patrol officers attempted a stop on this second vehicle driven by the female suspect with a short pursuit ensuing.

Lawrence stopped her vehicle near Eight Mile Road and Groesbeck Highway wherein she was taken into custody without incident.

Warren K9 officers searched her vehicle and retrieved two assault rifles, 151 grams of crack cocaine, 120 grams of methamphetamine, and 200 grams of fentanyl. A subsequent search of the Clinton Township residence revealed bulk quantities of ammunition along with narcotics packing materials consistent with recent narcotic transactions.

All suspects will have their next court dates set in the upcoming weeks.