‘Pop-up’ dispensary trial underway in Norfolk federal court
CHESAPEAKE, Va. (WAVY) — A verdict could come as early as Friday in a federal drug case involving a pop-up dispensary in Chesapeake.
One of the suspects is also facing gun charges following a double homicide.
Chesapeake Police responded to the apartment complex in Greenbrier in May 2022 for a bullet hole in the side of the building. They later found two people dead and a massive drug operation inside an apartment there.
Federal court documents show Courtney Conley was running a large scale drug trafficking organization, primarily based in Hampton Roads and generating hundreds of thousands of dollars in revenue. Federal agents believe Conley was operating several marijuana “pop-ups” at various locations and selling illegal narcotics.
Three other men, Terrance Anderson, Javaid Reed and Kyron Speller, acted as security and doormen for the operation.
On May 13, 2022, Chesapeake Police officers were called to Wintercress Way, near Greenbrier Parkway, just after 5 p.m. for a report of bullet holes in the side of an apartment building.
When police arrived on the scene, they found 26-year-old John Mcinnis and 24-year-old Darren Belardo dead inside the apartment. In addition to finding the two men, police found a large number of illegal narcotics at the scene.
Previously: 2 people dead in Chesapeake homicide
Upon further investigation, detectives and federal agents realized a “pop-up” was being operated out of the apartment where the shooting took place. Security video caught Conley and one other man discharging their weapons when the two men attempted to rob them inside the apartment.
Conley then left the scene and, court documents say, he took drugs, money and guns along with him from the apartment.
They said he temporarily left the Eastern District and changed his phone number to avoid being caught by law enforcement.
Court documents also say Speller rented a car for Conley while he was on the run.
Agents also learned Conley tried to establish more pop-up locations while on the run, including one in Virginia Beach. He continued to communicate with those involved and some of them even established pop-ups by renting Airbnb’s.
Law enforcement eventually arrested Conley at one of those pop-ups a few months after the double homicide.
Conley faces multiple counts, including conspiracy to distribute and discharge of a firearm. Reed, Speller and Alexander are all facing drug and firearm charges as well.
Authorities said Conley’s main sources of supply were California and Oregon.
The prosecution rested their case and the defense presented. The jury is expected to deliberate Friday.
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