Wednesday, October 23, 2002
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Wednesday, October 23, 2002 |
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PTC police disrupt meth operation at Balmoral Village apartments after raid By JOHN
MUNFORD
Eight people were arrested by Peachtree City Police Saturday after they executed search warrants on two apartments at Balmoral Village they believed to be sources of drug activity. Two of those arrested, David DeLorenzo, 32, and Randy Baughcum, 44, both of Peachtree City, were charged with trafficking methamphetamine and other charges after officers discovered a large amount of suspected methamphetamine at the apartments, police said. Six others were arrested on various drug possession charges. The bust came after a two-week undercover surveillance operation as officers observed a high amount of activity at the apartments in question, said Maj. Mike DuPree of the Peachtree City Police Department. "It appeared they had a system in place" to discern when someone came by the apartments want to buy drugs, DuPree said. Police obtained a special search warrant that allowed them to enter the apartments without knocking to catch the occupants by surprise, hoping to prevent any possible injuries to the public or officers, DuPree said. Officers from the department's SWAT Special Response Team, led by Sgt. Mark Brown, conducted the raid. Inside the apartments, they found scales and other items commonly used in the distribution of narcotics, police said. Some of the confiscated paraphernalia led police to believe the methamphetamine may have been manufactured nearby although there wasn't a "meth lab" running at either apartment, DuPree said. In addition to the meth trafficking charges, DeLorenzo and Baughcum were charged with possession of methamphetamine, possession of marijuana (less than one ounce) and possession of drug related objects. DeLorenzo was also charged with cruelty to children in the first degree and reckless conduct. Others arrested were: Erick Edwards, 28, of Peachtree City for possession of methamphetamine, possession of marijuana (less than one ounce) and possession of drug related objects: Jennifer Edwards, 22, of Peachtree City for possession of methamphetamine and possession of marijuana (less than one ounce); James Peek, 48, of Peachtree City for possession of marijuana (less than one ounce); Joseph Shamrock Jr., 47, of Peachtree City for possession of marijuana (less than one ounce); Julie Clark, 20, of Peachtree City for possession of marijuana (less than one ounce); and Mark Edwards, 33, of Peachtree City, for possession of marijuana (less than one ounce). The investigation is ongoing and more arrests are anticipated, DuPree said. Some of the suspects already in custody had significant prior records for controlled substance violations, he added.
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