Four people arrested following drug bust in Texas

TEXAS — Four people were arrested and multiple firearms and drugs were recovered during a joint law enforcement operation targeting high-crime areas in North Austin, police said.

According to the Austin Police Department (APD), the North Metro Tactical Response Unit partnered with the Texas Department of Public Safety Criminal Investigations Division to conduct a “proactive criminal enforcement operation” on May 1.

The initiative focused on areas statistically identified for elevated violent crime and drug activity, including Thurmond Street and North Lamar Boulevard.

During the operation, officers observed suspected drug deals taking place at the Thurmond Heights apartment complex, a property managed by the Housing Authority of the City of Austin.

Investigators identified several individuals and an apartment unit involved in the activity.

Four individuals were arrested on a range of charges:

• Neshea Harper, 30, was charged with possession of crack cocaine (2nd-degree felony) and obstructing a highway passage (Class B misdemeanor).
• Chaz Young, 39, faces charges of delivery of crack cocaine (1st-degree felony), unlawful carrying of a weapon (2nd-degree felony involving a stolen revolver), and evading arrest with a prior conviction (state jail felony).
• Edwin Middleton, 34, was charged with possession of crack cocaine (3rd-degree felony) and being a felon in possession of a firearm (3rd-degree felony).
• Kevin Abraham, 30, is wanted on an aggravated assault with a deadly weapon charge (2nd-degree felony).

Additional charges are expected, police said.

A search warrant was executed at Harper’s apartment, where officers seized five handguns, approximately 1.5 ounces of crack cocaine, and small amounts of methamphetamine and fentanyl.

APD says efforts to curb violent crime and drug distribution in high-risk neighborhoods will continue.