BURLINGTON, Vt. -
Cocaine, heroin, $20,000 cash and a gun were all found about 40 feet from an elementary school.
It happened in Burlington, this morning.
Police arrested and charged three people who they believe were selling the drugs from a home across from the school.
ABC22/FOX44 was on the scene all day.
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40 feet from the school. It's troublesome anywhere, but especially with it being so close to young students. But because the bust happened at six in the morning, police say no one was in danger.
"It was a good day in terms of getting drugs off the streets," Burlington Police Chief Michael Schirling said.
A lengthy drug investigation ended abruptly Friday morning on Spring Street, with four people in handcuffs. One man was arrested, but police say he has since been released and not charged.
40 year old Victor Allen, 29 year old Adekola Allen, both of Brooklyn, New York and 41 year old, Maria Twitty of Burlington were arrested on various drug charges. Some neighbors were stunned.
"I'm heartbroken that we have to live in fear," one neighbor told me.
Police found a 9 mm handgun, more than 20 thousand dollars in cash, crack cocaine, powder cocaine and heroin.
"Softball size quantities," Chief Schirling said.
The most alarming part of this story, the accused drug dealers were living right across the street from the Integrated Arts Academy at H.O. Wheeler School. The school was notified but not placed on lockdown.
"At no time were families or children in any danger," Principal Bobby Riley said.
"I can't think of a house in the city that is closer to a school than this particular residence," Chief Schirling said.
The Police Department has other suspects in mind, but made this bust a priority because of its proximity to the school, the chief says the suspects are facing even more time behind bars because it's so close.
"We want to send a clear message that this is not going to be tolerated," Chief Schirling said.
"It's just so abundant, the drugs, the crime," the neighbor said.
Police say there were two children in the house. One, possibly even a student of the nearby school.
"I'm not going to confirm or deny that," Principal Riley said.
Police say just recently they've seen a spike in the number of drugs from out of state, so they plan to continue their watch on drugs and dealers coming into Vermont.
Police want us to remind you to report suspicious behavior. A lot of people in and out of a house for a short period of time can mean drug trafficking.
The three suspects are scheduled to be in court Monday.
