County drug agents say they’ve made arrests after what they’re calling “an alarming spike” in Savannah-area heroin overdoses.
Early Monday afternoon, Diego “Slab” Robbins, 22, of Savannah was arrested by the Chatham-Savannah Counter Narcotics Team. Following his arrest, agents and the Chatham County Sheriff’s Office K-9 unit searched three houses that were connected to Robbins.
Agents seized a large amount of heroin, items commonly utilized with the distribution of controlled substances, multiple firearms, a vehicle and about $1,000 in U.S. currency, said Gene Harley, CNT spokesman. Robbins is facing multiple felony drug charges, including trafficking heroin and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
In May, CNT and the Savannah-Chatham police began noticing a spike in heroin-related overdoses, Harley said. CNT then began investigating Robbins and 37-year-old Michael “Big Mike” Eden of Savannah. CNT determined most of the overdoses were happening at Eden’s house in Savannah, Harley said. Eden and Robbins were then identified as the source of heroin supply.
On June 16, a search of Eden’s house resulted in the seizure of heroin and items commonly associated with distribution. In addition to heroin being sold out of Eden’s house, buyers could also use their purchased drugs there, Harley said.
“It was a huge concern that drug sales and drug use were occurring at Eden’s house because his house is in a neighborhood where other families live and play,” said CNT Director Everette Ragan in a news release. “There is also a registered daycare located nearby. Getting him off the streets is our way of continuing our mission of taking dangerous people and drugs out of our communities. The effectiveness of CNT is demonstrated by cases like this one.”
Eden was arrested and charged with various felony drug charges, including possession of a controlled substance (heroin) with intent to distribute. He remains in the Chatham County jail. Eden was on probation at the time of his arrest and his probation has since been violated. CNT has filed to seize his house, 2021 East 59th Street in Savannah.
Prior to and following Eden’s arrest, undercover CNT agents made several purchases of heroin from Robbins, Harley said. During those purchases, CNT agents successfully identified the various locations associated with Robbins which resulted in Monday’s operation.
This is an ongoing investigation and additional arrests are expected. As such, the total amounts of heroin and firearms seized are being withheld. Other persons connected with this investigation have been arrested, but, their identities are not being released at this time, Harley said.
The heroin seized Monday has an estimated street value of up to $24,000.
Since CNT began its efforts in this investigation, there has been a large decrease in heroin-related overdoses, Harley said.
The Savannah office of the Drug Enforcement Administration also assisted in this investigation.
Anyone with information surrounding this case is asked to contact CNT Agent Johnson at 912-652-3900.