WJBF Staff
Published: November 17, 2017, 1:30 pm  Updated: November 17, 2017, 1:30 pm

See news report here: http://wjbf.com/2017/11/17/two-arrested-in-burke-county-drug-bust/

Augusta Chronicle

By From Staff Reports

Posted November 17, 2017 01:50 pm - Updated November 17, 2017 11:34 pm

Two people were arrested Thursday in a drug bust by the Burke County Sheriff’s Office .

David Austin Hammond, 46, and Stephanie Berlanger, 36, were stopped on Black Road in Sardis, Ga., as part of a narcotics investigation, and were found to be in possession of methamphetamine and a firearm.

A subsequent search of the suspects’ residence on Hancock Landing resulted in additional narcotics, cash and firearms being found. Some of the firearms found had been reported stolen.

Hammond and Berlanger are charged with trafficking in methamphetamine, possession of marijuana with the intent to distribute, possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Hammond is also charged with obstruction of a law enforcement officer.

Items seized:

Methamphetamine : 56.3 grams

Marijuana: 357.5 grams

Shrooms: 3.5 grams

Firearms: 23 total (19 long guns, 4 handguns)

Currency: $7,530 cash

Vehicle: 2009 Chevy 2500 truck

“The reduction of drugs in our county helps to reduce violent and property crimes and we are aggressively tackling these problems each day,” said Buke County Sheriff Alfonzo Williams. “Removing over 20 guns from the hand of criminals helps to make our community and the entire CSRA safer from those who deal drugs in the area.”