Police say a Savannah man faces multiple charges and possible federal prosecution after undercover officers converged on his car Wednesday afternoon.
Tyrone Anwan Broadnax, 34, was charged with trafficking in cocaine, possession of MDMA with intent to distribute, possession of cocaine with intent to distribute and traffic violations, said Julian Miller, Savannah-Chatham police spokesman.
He also was charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and possession of a firearm during commission of a felony when officers found a stolen firearm in his possession, Miller said. Because of those charges, police are collaborating with agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives to prosecute Broadnax under the national Ceasefire program, Miller said.
Officers in an undercover unit that focuses on street-level drug crimes were working on the southside when they observed a car previously seen in a high drug activity area and followed it to West 37th and Montgomery streets, Miller said. After observing a hand-to-hand transaction in a parking lot and the traffic offenses, police stopped the vehicle. An accompanying K-9 alerted on the vehicle, in which drugs and a weapon were located, Miller said.
Police seized 52.5 grams of cocaine in crack and powder forms, 18 grams of MDMA and a pistol reported stolen in March. The drugs were packaged in 95 plastic bags, suitable for sale. Police also seized cash from the vehicle.
Broadnax also was charged with violation of probation for the 11th time since an arrest for armed robbery in 1995. He has been arrested by area authorities 24 additional times since then and has served four prison terms, Miller said.
Wednesday’s arrest was the 111th for the undercover drug squad.