Two people are in custody following a large seizure of marijuana by the Chatham-Savannah Counter Narcotics Team.
Earlier this week, CNT agents and Garden City police began a joint investigation into the possession of a large amount of marijuana in a residence located in Garden City, said CNT spokesman Gene Harley. Through the investigation, CNT obtained a search warrant for the residence on Shady Lane Drive in the Garden City Mobile Home Park.
Shortly after 1 p.m. Tuesday, CNT agents and Garden City police executed the search warrant at the residence. Agents seized approximately 90 pounds of marijuana, most of which was packaged in large, separate bundles, Harley said.
As a result of the seizure, CNT arrested 27-year-old Martin Hernandez Aparicio and 26-year-old Marilu Trujillo, both of Garden City. Aparicio and Trujillo have been charged with trafficking marijuana and are currently being held in the Chatham County jail, Harley said.
The investigation is ongoing and additional arrests are expected to follow, Harley said, adding that the seized marijuana has any estimated street value of as much as $115,000.
FBI, metro police look for bank robber
The FBI and Savannah-Chatham police detectives are searching for a man who robbed a branch of The Savannah Bank at gunpoint Wednesday morning.
At 9:47 a.m., both agencies responded to reports of a robbery in progress at the branch on the 4800 block of Waters Avenue, said Eunecia Baker, metro police spokeswoman. Investigators learned a man with a gun entered the bank and demanded cash from a teller. The teller gave the man an undisclosed amount of money, Baker said, and the robber fled south on foot.
No one was injured, she said.
Police describe the suspect as a black male in his mid-30s who is 5 feet 8 inches to 5 feet 10 inches tall. During the robbery, he was wearing a blue shirt, jeans and a straw hat with a brim and drawstring that partially covered his face.
Police are asking anyone with information on the robbery to call CrimeStoppers at 912-234-2020 or text CRIMES (274637). Tipsters remain anonymous and may qualify for a cash reward. A confidential tip line directly to investigators can be dialed at 912-525-3124.
Man indicted in May slaying
A Savannah man on Wednesday was indicted on murder and related charges in the May slaying of one man and wounding of two women.
Mark Allen Adkins Jr., 22, fatally shot Frederick Early, 24, on May 16, the Chatham County grand jury determined in returning an 11-count indictment.
In addition to the felony murder count, the grand jury indicted Adkins on two felony murder counts in the slaying and two aggravated assault counts in the non-fatal shootings of Briona Moore and Pamphylia Baynes in the same incident.
The shootings occurred at Eagle and Richard streets.
Warrant execution nets drugs, suspects
Four people were taken into custody Wednesday after Savannah-Chatham police officers executed a search warrant at a southside Savannah apartment complex.
Arrested were Deshae Jones, 25, on two counts of sale of controlled substance, possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, and tools for the commission of a crime; Devonte Henneghan, 21, obstruction by fleeing; Devon Brown, 22, possession of marijuana; and Rocquilla Robinson, 21, possession of marijuana.
Wednesday morning’s warrant search was conducted by SWAT Team officers after evidence showed a marijuana operation was linked to the residence in the Woodhouse Apartments complex on Woodhouse Lane off Montgomery Crossroad.
Adams said marijuana was found during the search. He believes guns were also in the residence, and officers were continuing to search.
“This is a continuation of our All Hands on Deck (initiative) in Central Precinct,” Adams said. “This ongoing investigation led us over here to the Southside Precinct where we had warrants for a couple of subjects in reference to drug sales and weapons.”
The SWAT Team was sent in first, Adams said, because the department wanted to take every possible precaution.
The operation also included Central and Southside Precinct officers, detectives and crime suppression units.
There were no injuries or problems Wednesday.
“Everything went smoothly,” Adams said.
The investigation will continue at least into the afternoon Wednesday, Adams said, as officers conduct a thorough search and question the subjects detained.
“We’re continuing to rock and roll with our All Hands on Deck and today just shows that crime has no boundaries. These guys are all over the city, so we have to collaborate with our partners in Southside Precinct or wherever to get them,” Adams said. “We’re out here working in a collaborative effort to try to keep our community safe.”
Health advisory for Polk Street beach
The Chatham County Health Department has placed Tybee Island’s Polk Street Beach under advisory because of possible risk of illness associated with water contact at that location.
Routine water quality tests taken Tuesday at Polk Street Beach — the northernmost portion of Tybee near the mouth of the Savannah River from the end of the beach to the jetty — showed a high level of enterococci bacteria which increase the risk of gastrointestinal illness in swimmers, said Sally Silbermann, Coastal Healthy District spokeswoman.
Fish and other seafood caught from that area should be thoroughly washed with fresh water and thoroughly cooked before eating as should fish or seafood caught from any waters, Silbermann said.
The area will be retested Thursday and the advisory will be lifted when tests show the bacteria levels meet the Environmental Protection Agency’s recommended standards.
Compiled by Katie Martin, Dash Coleman, Jan Skutch and Corey Dickstein