Police Shut Down 'The Yard' Drug Market

“The Yard” -- a secluded property in Upper Marlboro that functioned as an open-air drug market – has been shut down by the Prince George’s County Police Department.

A tipster’s call to Crime Solvers in June launched a narcotics investigation into the property. Narcotics officers executed a search warrant Sept. 10 at the site in the 15000 block of Marlboro Pike.

Detectives recovered eight weapons, crack cocaine and Percocet pills. Two suspects were arrested; police say the expect to make more arrests.

“The Yard was a magnet for problems in the community. Shutting it down will make a positive difference for neighbors,” says Captain Chuck Hamby, assistant commander of the Narcotic Enforcement Division., on the department’s blog.

The suspects arrested are Wayne David Burley, 52, of the 4300 block of Canyon View Drive in Upper Marlboro and Ernest Antonio Ward, 23, of the 1400 block of K Street in Southeast Washington. They are both charged with multiple drug possession charges.

»A photo taken from Air 1 showing activity at the “The Yard” when Prince George’s County Police officers arrived with a search warrant.