The Chatham-Savannah Counter Narcotics Team announced Thursday that a recent drug operation resulted in multiple arrests and a large seizure of drugs, firearms and money.
Authorities said the investigation uncovered $30,580 in U.S. currency, five firearms and a variety of drugs, including cocaine with an estimated street value of $80,000.
The six suspects who were arrested are: Antonio Lamar Hampton, 28; Andre Keith Johnson, 29; Jabari Raefael Weldon, 27; Larry Dawson Cohen Jr., 32; Anthony Rhodes, 54, and Walter Lee Kelly, 54.
They face a range of charges from trafficking cocaine and possession of marijuana to possession of tools during the commission of a crime.
All remain in the Chatham County jail with the exception of Rhodes and Kelly. They were arrested on misdemeanor charges and posted bond, authorities said.
Cohen is scheduled to have a preliminary hearing at 2 p.m. Tuesday in Recorder’s Court, while Hampton, Johnson and Weldon having preliminary hearings at 2 p.m. Wednesday.
Law enforcement and elected officials at a news conference at the CNT office said the investigation is a great example of how a simple phone call from a concerned citizen can shut down a criminal operation in local neighborhoods.
“We applaud the neighborhood and citizens because they’re at a point where they just aren’t going to tolerate the sale of illegal narcotics and distribution in their community,” said CNT Deputy Director Kerry Thomas.
In February, CNT began investigating a drug complaint forwarded by CrimeStoppers concerning suspected drug activity at a home at 1315 Golden St. in west Savannah. CNT agents, working in an undercover capacity, reportedly identified several persons of interest and bought cocaine from people at the home.
Continuing the investigation, agents connected a second house less than a mile away at 2106 Mell St. in the Hudson Hill neighborhood to the same drug activity. They said they then started buying cocaine from people in both residences.
Shortly after identifying the Mell Street address, CNT received a new drug complaint from CrimeStoppers connecting it to illegal drug sales.
At about 7 p.m. March 28, CNT, with support from Savannah-Chatham police and the Chatham Sheriff’s Office K-9 Unit, executed simultaneous search warrants at the homes on Golden and Mell streets.
Authorities reported finding various prescription pills, multiple ounces of marijuana, a small amount of Ecstasy and more than 720 grams of cocaine. Most of the seized cocaine was crack cocaine. Additionally, CNT said it seized numerous items commonly associated with converting powder cocaine into crack cocaine.
Investigators cited an ongoing investigation in declining to talk about where the drugs may have originated and where they suspect it was headed.
The five recovered firearms include a .22-caliber high-power rifle, a LAR-15 .223-caliber high-power rifle, a Ruger P95 handgun and a 12-gauge shotgun, as well as a FN Herstal 5.7-by-28 mm handgun (also known as a “cop killer”) that were both reported stolen.
Chatham Commission Chairman Al Scott, Savannah Mayor Pro Tem Van Johnson and Demery Bishop, executive director of CrimeStoppers of Savannah, all expressed hope that the citizen involvement in the case marks a turning point in police and citizen cooperation.
“The distressing part to me is that these substances and weapons are among our children in our community, and we need to continue to make sure we utilize those things that are already provided to us,” Johnson said in referencing CrimeStoppers.
CNT drug operation arrests
• Antonio Lamar Hampton was charged with trafficking cocaine, manufacturing a controlled substance, possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime, possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, possession of marijuana more than one ounce and possession of tools during the commission of a crime.
• Andre Keith Johnson was charged with trafficking cocaine, manufacturing a controlled substance, possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime, possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, possession of marijuana more than one ounce and possession of tools during the commission of a crime.
• Jabari Raefael Weldon was charged with trafficking cocaine, manufacturing a controlled substance, possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime, possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, possession of marijuana more than one ounce and possession of tools during the commission of a crime.
• Larry Cohen was charged with trafficking cocaine, possession of a controlled substance (Ecstasy), possession of marijuana and possession of a drug-related object.
• Anthony Rhodes was charged with possession of marijuana and possession of a drug-related object.
• Walter Lee Kelly was charged with possession of drug-related object.