Three nabbed in task force drug raid
"There was evidence that marijuana was being smoked and drugs sold out of the residence while the children were present." - Sgt. Wayne Denson
By BRENDA SOMMER bsommer@leader-news.com

The District Attorney's Narcotics Task Force arrested three people Thursday on drug and child endangerment charges and allege the group used drugs in front of children.

The task force got a search warrant after receiving several tips about drug dealing at 1309 Short the home of Twyla Harrell, 33, and 32-year-old Nicole Harrell.

When officers arrived at that house around 10 p.m. March 13, 31-year-old Harvey J. Hudlin was preparing to drive off in his car, according to El Campo Police Sgt. Wayne Denson, who is also a member of the task force.

"Officers saw Hudlin place an unknown quantity of crack cocaine in his mouth and he attempted to swallow it," Denson said. "Officers were able to recover about a half gram of crack cocaine from his mouth following a brief struggle. Hudlin's car was seized along with $230 suspected drug money recovered from his pockets, Denson said.

Inside the house were the two Harrell women and three children under the age of 15.

"There was evidence that marijuana was being smoked and drugs sold out of the residence while the children were present," Denson said.

The children were identified and released to a relative who came to the scene.

"It is a sad situation when people carry out their illegal activities in full view of young children," Denson said. "They are also exposing the children to unnecessary risk of harm in that kind of environment."

Officers recovered just over 3 grams of crack cocaine and less than 2 ounces of marijuana during the raid.

Hudlin, of 1001 Corn, was booked into Wharton County Jail for delivery of a controlled substance, possession of marijuana, tampering with physical evidence and child endangerment/ abandonment and an Austin Pardon and Parole warrant for parole violation. He was held on $42,000 bond as of 12:30 p.m. Monday, March 17.

Twyla Anderson Harrell was booked for possession of a controlled substance, abandonment/ endangerment of a child, possession of marijuana, five warrants for failure to appear, two warrants for expired driver's license and warrants for no insurance, violating driver's license restriction B (driver age 18 or older must be in vehicle) and no driver's license.

Nicole M. Harrell was booked for possession of a controlled substance, possession of marijuana and child endangerment/ abandonment.

The Harrells were held on $34,000 bond each as of 12:30 p.m. Monday, March 17.

The task force received support from the El Campo and Wharton Police Departments, Wharton County Sheriff's Department and the Precinct 2 and 4 constables' offices in conducting the raid.

Denson said the presence of children in drug-dealing situations is troubling.

"In the majority of the cases we investigate, there are other family members that are very aware of the drug dealing and drug use occurring with children present, but they do nothing to try and get them out of the situation," he said. "People in the community that care about the future of our youth should take a stand against the drug dealers that are corrupting them. The children raised in a household where drugs are sold or consumed are likely to continue the cycle."