Counter Narcotics Team
Media Release
For immediate release
January 23, 2009
Drug Arrests in Bryan, Chatham Counties, and Florida
Bryan County Sheriff Clyde Smith, Richmond Hill Police Chief Billy Reynolds and CNT Commander Roy Harris announce the culmination of a four month investigation into the illegal distribution of drugs in Richmond Hill, Bryan County, and Chatham County. This investigation was a result of shared intelligence between the agencies on a loosely associated group of individuals in both counties, and information provided by the Armstrong Atlantic Police Department in October 2008.
During the investigation, drug buys including marijuana, LSD, Ocycontin, Xanex, Hydrocodone, Clonapine, Lorcet and Adderrol were made from around 24 individuals. Law enforcement authorities are in the process of serving 40-50 arrest warrants in Chatham and Bryan Counties, along with one in Orlando, Florida.
Assisting in the investigation and arrests are the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) in Georgia and Florida, the U.S. Marshal's South East Regional Fugitive Task Force, the U.S. Marshal's Fugitive Apprehension Team in Orlando, Florida, and MACE (The Multi-Agency Crack Enforcement Team), based in Hinesville.
Officials involved in the investigation will be available to meet with the media at 9:00 AM, at the Richmond Hill Police Department, where first appearances for the defendants will be held by Magistrate Judge D. R. Snider.
On November 26, 2008, CNT, "ICE" (U.S. Department of Homeland Security Immigration and Customs Enforcement), Garden City Police Department, and the Chatham County Sheriff's Department K-9 unit concluded a joint investigation by executing search warrants in both Savannah and Garden City. The investigation involved a group of suspected illegal Mexicans who were distributing narcotics in Savannah and the Garden City area.
Search warrants were executed on Clearview Avenue in Savannah, and Devane Street (Plantation Townhomes) in Garden City. As a result of the search warrants, agents seized approximately twelve (12) ounces of powder cocaine (over a quarter kilogram), two firearms (a Taurus .357 Magnum and a Smith and Wesson 9mm), packaging materials, cutting agents, numerous digital scales, electric grinders, numerous boxes/unspent ammunition, and approximately $3,500.00 in currency.
A total of five subjects were taken into custody at the two locations and four of them were charged with the following:
1. Ranfrey JAIMES-charged with trafficking in cocaine and weapon charges
2. Socorra Ruiz HERNANDEZ-charged with party to a crime, sale of controlled substance (cocaine)
3. Mendez Faustino VARGA-charged with possession of cocaine with the intent to distribute
4. Humberto Luno ESPINOZA-charged with trafficking in cocaine and sale of a controlled substance (cocaine).
The fifth subject is pending a deportation hearing from ICE but was not charged locally.
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Commander
