Open-air drug market busted in Madison Co.

Madison County Sheriff's deputies arrested two Maryland men Friday in connection with an open-air drug market just outside the town's limits, Sheriff Erik Weaver said Monday.

James Pinkney, 32, of Oxon Hill, Md. and Rodney Simms, 33, of Temple Hill, Md. face felony charges of possession of a controlled substance with the intent to manufacture, sell or distribute.

They are being held in the Central Virginia Regional Jail in Orange, Weaver said.

The sheriff said his office received numerous complaints of drug dealing from a parked car on Luther Lane, leading deputies to respond to the area around 2 p.m. Friday.

"They were using a dead end road to peddlle narcotics," Weaver said.

The suspects fled when police arrived and were arrested following an approximate 20-yard foot pursuit, he said.

Authorities seized 80 grams of crack cocaine with a street value of more than $8,000 along with $2,000 cash and a Chevrolet Suburban, Weaver said. He said the commonwealth's attorney is investigating whether the men will face additional charges in connection with the foot pursuit.