Law enforcement officials arrested three individuals on Friday after a traffic stop on I-16. It led to the execution of two search warrants and the arrest of five more in Savannah.
The Bulloch County Sheriff’s Office says that a traffic stop was conducted on Interstate 16 on Friday, August 16, 2019 by investigators with the Bulloch County Sheriff’s Crime Suppression Team (CST) in conjunction with the Statesboro Police Department’s Impact Team.
During the traffic stop, K9 Deputy Dustin Lanier and his partner, Pike, alerted on the vehicle for the presence of narcotics. Authorities found more than a pound of what officials say is ‘high-grade’ marijuana. The marijuana was reported packaged for distribution along with approximately 30 cartridges of liquid THC and an undisclosed amount of U.S. currency.
According to a press release from Captain Jason Kearney, the investigation originated in Bulloch County, but it was later determined that the narcotics were being purchased from a business in Savannah, which appeared to be operating in a lawful capacity, however, persons in the back were packaging narcotics and selling them to persons at the establishment.
The following arrests were made:
- CHANDLER ANN MCMILLAN
AGE 21
2309 SYDNEY’S CHASE STATESBORO GA
- CHRISTOPHER KYLE KIMSEY
AGE 21
2309 SYDNEY’S CHASE STATESBORO GA
- CHRISTOPHER LEDEZMA
AGE 21
2125 STOCKINGHEAD ROAD METTER GA
All three individuals were charged with possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, possession of a Schedule 1 drug with intent to distribute, and possession of drug related objects. Christopher Ledezma was also charged with a probation violation.
The Chatham-Savannah Counter Narcotics Team (CNT) along with the Savannah Police Department’s Special Investigation Unit (SIU) executed a search warrant on Friday evening at The Original Nancy’s Seafood on Skidaway Road in Savannah. The search warrant resulted in the seizure of:
- over four pounds of marijuana
- over 100 cartridges of liquid tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)
- an undisclosed amount of crystal methamphetamine
- one firearm
- $11,000+ in U.S. currency
- items commonly associated with distribution of controlled substances
The store owner, 46-year-old Trinh Kapu and three employees also believed to be her family members — 28-year-old Ikaika Kapu, 21-year-old Micah Kapu, and 23-year-old Paul Gonning II — were arrested following the search warrant. All of are Savannah and all four were charged with Possession of Marijuana with Intent to Distribute.
On Monday, CNT in Savannah executed a second search warrant on Falligant Avenue in connection to this investigation. The residence is owned by Trinh Kapu and 36-year-old Matthew Dulin. The search warrant resulted in the seizure of:
- an undisclosed amount of cocaine, crystal methamphetamine, and marijuana
- four firearms
- more than $8,000 in U.S. currency
- several vehicles
Dulin was charged with Possession of Methamphetamine and Possession of a Firearm during the commission of a crime.
Both are ongoing investigations and additional arrests and charges are expected.
