Friday, May 13, 2005 | ||
Bad Links? | Five arrested in drug case By LEE WILLIAMS Five accused drug dealers were arrested Monday after Peachtree City police discovered $100,000 in counterfeit money, weapons, methamphetamine and 2 kilos of pot at a home in the Wynnmeade subdivision. Ulvado Aleman, 19; Primitevo Solorio, 31; Pedro Arana Duarte, 26; Santos Rivera, 43; and Jose Castalan, 24, each face one count of possession of marijuana with an intent to distribute after the encounter with police. Police responded to 208 Kings Court after receiving a report that gunshots had been fired in the home and a person was possibly injured, Peachtree City Police Chief James Murray said. Several people jumped in automobiles and fled from the home as police arrived. However, police were able to confirm that a serious violent incident occurred in the home and continued to probe further. The officers checked the residence and located a large quantity of marijuana that had been compressed into bricks and a container of methamphetamine, Murray said. They also seized almost $100,000 in cash that appears to be counterfeit and two handguns. Search warrants were executed at the Kings Court residence and a nearby home at 131 Wynnmeade Parkway. As a result, Aleman, Solorio, Duarte, Rivera and Castalan were arrested and taken to the Fayette County Jail. Aleman, Solorio, Duarte and Rivera were illegal immigrants, police said. Police also are investigating a report several other illegal immigrants reside in the rental properties in the subdivision. Peachtree City Code Enforcement has been alerted of the multiple habitation violation and has been requested to investigate the matter, Murray said. U.S. Secret Service agents are investigating where the counterfeit money came from, he added. Murray expressed his displeasure with the four illegal aliens actions. They dont have a connection to the community and they are out here counterfeiting our money and selling drugs to our children, he said. Murray indicated he is disgusted with those who sell drugs because they destroy the moral fiber of the community, and he is going to do everything in his power to deter such activity. It makes the average citizen very mad and they have a right to be mad and they have a right to demand justice when they are brought before the court, the police chief said. Murray appeared at the mens bond hearing and asked the judge to set high bonds. Castalan was granted a $32,000 bond. The other four suspects each received a $120,000 bond. Murray said he is equally dissatisfied with the actions of some absentee landlords and he wants to put those who allow their properties to be used for criminal activity on notice: Clean up your act or we will do it for you. Property used to conduct illegal drug activity are subject to seizure and Murray plans to penalize the landlords of the properties involved in Mondays incident. We are going to look at the possibility of seizing this from the owner, he said. If we can legally seize it, we will seize it.
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