IMPD: Police seize 7,000+ grams of drugs, 9 firearms, cash during west side narcotics investigation

INDIANAPOLIS — More than 7,000 grams of drugs were seized, along with nine firearms and $34,000 during a narcotics investigation by the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department that led to two arrests.

According to court documents, 33-year-old Richard Watkins and 25-year-old Howard Harris Jr. were taken into custody on Tuesday afternoon on the west side of Indianapolis. The two were arrested on the following charges:

Watkins

• One count of dealing methamphetamine and possession with intent to distribute, a Level 2 felony
• One count of dealing in a narcotic drug and possession with intent to distribute, a Level 2 felony
• One count of possession of methamphetamine, a Level 3 felony
• One count of possession of a narcotic drug, a Level 3 felony
• One count of unlawful possession of a firearm by a serious violent felon, a Level 4 felony
• One count of possession of a machine gun, a Level 5 felony
• Two counts of possession of a controlled substance, each a Level 6 felony

Harris

• One count of dealing in a schedule 1 controlled substance and possession with intent to distribute, a Level 2 felony
• One count of dealing in marijuana and possession with intent to distribute, a Level 5 felony
• One count of possession of a controlled substance, a Level 6 felony

On Tuesday, IMPD officers conducted a search on a home and several vehicles in the 5800 block of Westbury North Drive. This was in connection with a narcotics investigation. Officials said that officers reportedly “observed suspicious activity and witnessed a hand-to-hand narcotics transaction nearby.”

During the search, officers reportedly found the following inside the home and in the cars:

• Nine firearms, including one equipped with a machine gun conversion device
• Around 400 grams of suspected methamphetamine
• Around 355 grams of suspected fentanyl and suboxone
• More than 6,000 grams of marijuana
• Nearly 1,000 grams of suspected psilocybin mushrooms
• 50 bottles of THC syrup
• More than $34,000 in cash
• Various drug packaging materials, digital scales and other paraphernalia

According to court documents, Watkins’ initial hearing is scheduled for the afternoon of April 21 in Marion County. He’s currently being held with no bond. Harris’ initial hearing is scheduled for Thursday afternoon and his bond is set at $5,000 cash.