Four people whom law enforcement officials say are associated with a long-term heroin and cocaine sales operation were arrested Friday by the Statesboro-Bulloch Crime Suppression Team, according to a news release.
The Crime Suppression Team — a partnership between the Bulloch County Sheriff’s Office, Statesboro Police Department and Georgia Southern University Police Department — was conducting surveillance Friday on the suspects and saw them meet, then leave the meeting spot in separate vehicles, the release says.
Investigators stopped both vehicles on Gentilly Road.
The occupants of a black Mercedes — Emily Frances Rushing, 26, of Nature’s Way, and
Tambi Rich, 35, of Wren Lane — along with the occupant of Rushing’s Dodge Charger, Johnny Lee Branch Jr., 33, of Park Place Apartments, were arrested after a K-9 alert led to the discovery of crack cocaine, according to the release.
Rushing’s Dodge Charger also was discovered to have been stolen from Atlanta, the release says.
Following up on these arrests, search warrants were conducted at Rushing’s residence on Nature’s Way, leading to the discovery of heroin and several syringes, and an associate of Rushing’s living in Stadium Walk Apartments on Lanier Drive, according to the release.
At Stadium Walk, Crime Suppression Team investigators discovered a quantity of heroin and arrested a resident, Michael Rice, 25, the release says. He also was charged with previous sales of heroin and cocaine that Crime Suppression Team members had seen, according to the release.
“These arrests demonstrate the interconnected nature of drug sales in Bulloch County and the number of neighborhoods and apartment complexes affected,” Bulloch County Sheriff Lynn Anderson said in the release.
Rushing was charged with trafficking heroin, possession of cocaine and theft by receiving stolen motor vehicle. Rice was charged with trafficking heroin, sale of heroin and sale of cocaine. Rich was charged with possession of cocaine. Branch was charged with no driver’s license and possession of cocaine.