Four arrested in Durham drug bust, officer assault

Durham police said that officers with the High Enforcement Abatement Team (HEAT) were following up on a prior drug arrest at a home in the 3400 block of Misty Pine Avenue just before 10:30 p.m. When a resident opened the door to the home, officers reported smelling a strong odor of marijuana and obtained and executed a search warrant, police said.

Authorities said that resident Khadir Cherry attempted to grab an officer’s service weapon and refused to obey orders while resident Raynell Hall struck an officer in the shoulder during the incident.

Police used a Taser on Hall, and an officer struck Cherry with a baton in an area between his hip and knee in order to make arrests, police said.

The incident was captured on camera by someone in the home and has since been shared on social media.

Cherry was charged with two counts of possession with intent to manufacture, sell or distribute, maintaining a dwelling for the sale or manufacturing of a substance, two counts of assault on a government official, resisting a public officer and possession of marijuana paraphernalia.

Hall was charged with assault on a government official and resisting a public officer.

Resident Jahmon Cedeno was also arrested and charged with assault on a government official, and the homeowner, Vera McGriff, was arrested and charged with maintaining a dwelling for the sale or manufacturing of drugs and resisting a public officer.

Durham police said the department is investigating the incident, including the use of force, which is standard protocol.

Cherry was the only person who remained in custody Monday afternoon.