CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Court documents uncovered by Channel 9 show that federal agents shut down a crime ring at a northwest Charlotte barbershop, just yards away from a school.
On Thursday morning, Channel 9 went to Famous Cutz Barbershop on Bradford Drive. It was open with people sitting inside. But within minutes, the lights went off and the “Closed” sign went up.
“I see a lot of people over there, but I don’t know what they’re actually doing,” neighbor Cynthia Hamilton said.
Court documents showed on Aug. 26 that cocaine, marijuana, Percocet and firearms were seized from the barbershop, located near Thomasboro Elementary School.
“Kids run around here all the time every day,” said Hamilton.
“Whenever drugs and guns are involved, it’s not a good thing,” area resident William Seigle said.
According to a search warrant, federal agents were tipped off to the criminal activity by local law enforcement last spring. It led to months of investigations.
In May, Charlotte-Mecklenburg police told federal agents that a recent uptick in violence in the area near Thomasboro Plaza was the result of narcotics trafficking in and around the barbershop.
Channel 9 looked at the crime stats in the half-mile radius surrounding Famous Cutz Barbershop and found that since last April, there have been 24 drug-rated crimes, 87 assaults and 21 burglaries.
“It bothers me a lot, and also there be a lot of shooting,” Hamilton said.
“It’s always a concern when there’s drugs and stuff around a school and kids,” Seigle added.
But residents said they’re happy authorities are looking into it.
“I’m glad, I’m more than glad to see something trying to be done about it,” resident Larry Foster said.
Channel 9 reached out to federal agents, who said the case is still under investigation.
Cox Media Group
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