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Alexandria police bust man allegedly selling guns and marijuana on Instagram

By James Cullum
Collage showing cash spread on a car seat, a firearm in the car, a white car on the road, cracked dirt ground, a car dashboard with cash stacks, and a hand holding bundled money; caption reads 'She nice and clean today'
Assorted rifles and a pistol laid out on a bed in a three-panel collage
Collage of three images showing pistols and rifles with tactical accessories and captions about owing money and paying with guns.
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A 23-year-old Alexandria man faces felony charges after allegedly selling guns and marijuana on Instagram.

The suspect was arrested in May after a five-month investigation by the Alexandria Police Department, in cooperation with the U.S. Postal Service, according to a recently unsealed search warrant affidavit. APD found that multiple packages containing pounds of marijuana were sent from Arizona and California to the suspect at an address in the 1300 block of Cleveland Street in Alexandria’s North Ridge-Rosemont neighborhood.

The packages were also addressed to a limited liability company, which APD found listed with Virginia’s State Corporation Commission. Police also found multiple messages on the suspect’s Instagram account that showed photos of guns, cash, THC vape cartridges and marijuana in bulk.

The suspect was arrested May 27 and charged with possession of Schedule I or II drugs and gun possession on a person with Schedule I or II drugs. Both are Class 5 felonies, punishable by up to 10 years in prison, or up to a year in prison and a $2,500 fine.

The suspect was released on recognizance and goes to court on Sept. 9.

About the Author

  • Reporter James Cullum has spent nearly 20 years covering Northern Virginia. He began working with ALXnow in 2020, and has covered every story under the sun for the publication, from investigative stories to features and photo galleries. His work includes coverage of national and international situations, as well as from the White House, Capitol, Pentagon, Supreme Court and State Department. He's covered protests and riots throughout the U.S. (including the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol), in addition to earthquake-ridden Haiti, Western Sahara in North Africa and war-torn South Sudan. He has photographed presidents and other world leaders, celebrities and famous musicians, and excels under pressure.