County drug agents on Friday arrested five people they say were selling crack cocaine and marijuana out in the open in Savannah’s Metropolitan neighborhood.
Several months of undercover investigation revealed a loose organization of 10 men were selling crack and pot openly on the 200 block of West 39th Street, said Gene Harley, Chatham-Savannah Counter Narcotics Team spokesman.
Two of the people arrested Friday are allegedly the organization’s leaders. Harley said they would often stash crack in various backyards on the block, meaning it could be found by anyone, such as a curious child. Though some people occasionally acted as lookouts, CNT says the group more or less sold out in the open.
“These guys almost treated it like it was their block,” Harley said. “It’s not fair to someone who works hard and lives there to feel scared because of all these ordeals going on... This type of behavior will not be tolerated.”
All five men have been charged with conspiracy to violate the Georgia Controlled Substances Act. CNT obtained felony warrants for all 10 members of the group, and expects to indict the case within the next few weeks, at which time more charges will be added, Harley said. Booking information on the suspects was not available Friday night.
CNT also seized two vehicles during the raid Friday.