Black Hamilton County residents are sent to prison on drug convictions 19 times more often per capita than whites, but local District Attorney Bill Cox challenged the recent study that reached the conclusion. The study, compiled by the nonprofit Justice Policy Institute, compared the nation's 200 largest counties. It stated that 97 percent of those counties sent blacks to prison more often than whites for drug-related convictions. Mr. Cox said the Justice Institute's claims are tied to a Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration study showing that in 2006 about 8.9 percent of blacks admitted to using drugs in the last month, and 8.5 percent of whites admitted to the same practices. [continues 699 words]
Chatham-Savannah Counter Narcotics Team Commander Roy Harris announced Tuesday the arrests of four men Sunday, taking 3 kilograms of cocaine and 8 pounds of marijuana off the streets. Harris said the suspects are accused of being part of a "major drug distribution organization" spread over Chatham and Bryan counties. He said the cocaine seizure will disrupt the local supply chain. CNT arrested [redacted] "All our information suggests it's very difficult to get cocaine in the Savannah-Chatham area right now," Harris said. "We believe these men were capable of dealing larger quantities than this." [continues 343 words]
Police Directing More Resources In Stepped-Up Investigation Of Westside Violence. Three shootings late Tuesday and early Wednesday sent police scrambling to try and prevent a homicide from occurring, said Savannah-Chatham Metropolitan Police Chief Michael Berkow. Police said Wednesday that no one was injured during the shootings, but homes were targeted as part of westside gang activity related to drugs. As of late Wednesday, police had recovered two weapons and had identified six people of interest. They are not considered suspects, but Berkow said evidence suggests they might know something about the crimes. Police are looking for the following people: [redacted] [continues 473 words]
Before a federal magistrate judge in Valdosta, eight of the nine who were originally named in an indictment along with Sheriff Carlton Evans, plead not guilty Wednesday to charges that they grew in excess of 1000 marijuana plants with intent to sell it. Richard Davis, who was originally named in the indictment, was not arraigned Wednesday, but a spokeswoman from the U.S. Attorney's office says he will be arraigned soon. "According to his attorney, he's in the hospital," said Pamela Lightsey, a spokeswoman from the U.S. Attorney's Office in Macon. [continues 257 words]
