Court: Agents find $24,000 worth of marijuana during search on Swann Street

The Metro Narcotics Task Force found more than $27,000 worth of narcotics, including marijuana and cocaine, during a search on Swann Street, according to testimony Friday in Columbus Recorder’s Court.

Authorities identified the individuals found in possession of the drugs as 32-year-old Bruce Daniel Christie and 47-year-old Jermaine Joshua Durham, both of Columbus.

Agents said they were serving an unrelated search warrant on Wednesday when they noticed Durham at his residence at 4173 Swann St. Officials with firsthand knowledge of his alleged involvement in drug deals checked to see if he had any active warrants for his arrest, and they confirmed that he was wanted on two counts of probation violation.

Officials went to the house to arrest Durham, who they saw head into the home. Agents had already taken Durham into custody when they noticed Christie sitting in the driver’s seat of the Crown Victoria parked in the driveway at the residence, Sgt. Anthony Berinobis testified.

Agent Ivan Rome said he smelled a strong odor of marijuana coming from inside the vehicle before he made contact with the defendant.

“At which time, the agent had to reach in and turn the vehicle off, and in plain view there were four rolls of marijuana cigarettes that were sitting on the ash tray of the vehicle,” Berinobis said. “Further investigation revealed that in plain view, there was a large bag that contained two large bags of marijuana on the front passenger seat of the floor board.”

Christie was then placed into custody as agents continued to search the car.

Agents seized an additional black bag containing individuals bags of marijuana located in the backseat of the Crown Victoria along with 29 grams of crack cocaine and a scale. Officials also located Durham’s house key in the car, according to court testimony.

Officials said they obtained a search warrant for the residence after they saw a “marijuana cigarette” burning on the window seal.

Authorities said they found a total of 2.7 pounds of marijuana (street value of $24,884), 30.7 grams of crack cocaine (street value of $3,070), and scales while searching the vehicle and home.

In court, Durham denied ownership of all narcotics or drug paraphernalia found on the scene.

“I didn’t have anything to do with it,” said Durham, who pleaded not guilty to trafficking cocaine, possession of marijuana with intent, possession of marijuana, possession of cocaine and possession of drug-related objects.

Christie was facing one count each of possession of marijuana with intent, trafficking cocaine and possession of drug-related objects until his attorney, Stacey Jackson, requested that his trafficking charge be reduced.

“As far as the trafficking, it has to be above 28 grams and also have a 10 percent purity,” Jackson told Judge Michael Cielinski. “To be bound over as trafficking, there has to be some evidence that it was over 10 percent purity.”

Cielinski then agreed to reduce his client’s charge to possession of cocaine after Berinobis confirmed that officials have yet to test the purity of the cocaine.

Christie was ordered held in the Muscogee County Jail under bonds totaling $76,000, while Durham was given bonds totaling $39,000. Both cases were bound over to Superior Court.

This story was originally published April 8, 2016 at 4:04 PM with the headline "Court: Agents find $24,000 worth of marijuana during search on Swann Street."