The Chatham-Savannah Counter Narcotics Team (CNT) announced the seizure of a large amount of cocaine, guns, money and the arrest of several people.
In February, CNT began investigating a drug complaint forwarded by CrimeStoppers in reference to 1315 Golden St. "The complaint advised of suspected drug activity occurring at the residence throughout the day and night," a spokesman says. CNT Agents, working in an undercover capacity, successfully made purchases of cocaine from persons associated with the residence.
As the investigation continued, CNT identified a second residence at 2106 Mell St. connected to 1315 Golden St. Agents furthered the investigation and began purchasing cocaine from both residences. Shortly after identifying the Mell Street address, CNT subsequently received a new drug complaint from CrimeStoppers listing 2106 Mell Street as a residence where drugs sales were taking place.
Shortly after 7 pm on March 28, CNT, with support from Savannah-Chatham Metropolitan Police Department and the Chatham County Sheriff's Office K-9 Unit, executed simultaneous search warrants at 1315 Golden St. and 2106 Mell St.
The search warrants resulted in six arrests and the seizure of: More than 720 grams of cocaine; various prescription pills; multiple ounces of marijuana; small amount of MDMA (Ecstasy); five firearms, U.S. Currency totaling $30,580; one vehicle.
Most of the seized cocaine was crack, with an estimated street value of up to $80,000. Of the recovered firearms, two of the firearms were reported stolen and at least one rifle was found to be of a high caliber, capable of piercing body armor.
• An undercover operation by Metro Police and loss prevention officers of Kroger supermarkets has led to the arrest of a business owner in an operation in which he purchased stolen items to re-sell.
Jay Suryekant Patel, 33, , co-owner of Hari's Food Mart on the 2200 block of Habersham Street, was charged with theft by receiving stolen property and fencing of retail property after the joint operation that began Feb. 11.
The investigation revealed that he would advise shoplifters which items he wished to purchase and then buy them from the shoplifters at greatly reduced prices. The investigation also indicated that other businesses could be involved in similar schemes.
Kroger tracked the items being stolen and worked with detectives to secure the arrests.
Items purchased by the store included specific brands of bar soap, fabric softener, detergent, razors, headache powders, batteries and body wash, among others.
• FBI and Metro Police investigators are searching for a gunman who robbed the Chatham Federal Credit Union.
The man walked into the credit union in the 600 block of East 67th Street at 10:25 a.m., produced a western-style handgun and robbed tellers of cash before fleeing.
The suspect is a black male standing 5-5 to 5-6, about 145 pounds with a medium build and medium complexion. He was wearing a gray hooded shirt with dark clothing and orange gloves and a dark mask.
