AUGUSTA, Ga. () – In a significant breakthrough, the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Division has apprehended three suspects on drug trafficking charges following a large-scale narcotics operation.
A collaborative effort between the Sheriff’s Office, the Crime Suppression Team, and the Marshal’s Office led to an investigation into a group allegedly engaged in smuggling extensive amounts of marijuana into the Central Savannah River Area (CSRA) via commercial flights.
Authorities detained Julian Gutierrez and Rigoberto Santacruz at Augusta Regional Airport, where they uncovered approximately 120 pounds of marijuana stashed within several suitcases.
Further investigations directed officers to the West Bank Inn on Washington Road, where Agustin Castaneda was arrested. He was found with an additional 65 pounds of marijuana in his luggage.
In total, law enforcement officials confiscated around 185 pounds of marijuana with an estimated street value of $230,000.
All three suspects have been charged with Trafficking in Marijuana.
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Roberto Santa Cruz -
Julian Gutierrez -
Agustin Castaneda -
