One of two Albany drug suspects bonds out of jail

ALBANY — One suspect arrested in a drug bust Friday has bonded out of the Dougherty County jail, while the other remains in custody, jail officials say.

Earl Eugene Bridges, 39, of 530 Ninth Ave., and Gerald Kimsey Jr., 33, of Baconton were arrested early Friday in possession of illegal drugs with an estimated street value of $26,000, according to police. Major Bill Berry, commander of the Albany-Dougherty Drug Unit, said three weapons were also recovered, including a gun reported stolen from an East Albany pawn shop in 1993.

Charges against Bridges include trafficking in methamphetamine, trafficking in heroin, trafficking in cocaine, possession of a Schedule I controlled substance, possession of a Schedule II controlled substance (oxycodone) with intent to distribute, possession of a Schedule IV controlled substance (phentermine), possession of heroine, possession of crack-cocaine, tampering with evidence, obstruction of a law enforcement officer, not keeping drugs in their original container and violation of a provision for use of communication facilities.

Jail officials said on Tuesday that Bridges failed to qualify for bond on two counts of trafficking in cocaine and one count of possession of a schedule I controlled substance and remains in jail.

Kimsey is charged with possession of meth, three counts of possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony and theft by receiving stolen property. Kimsey is free on $9,000 bond, officials say.

Officials say the sting operation resulted from a tip by the Lee County Sheriff’s Office and occurred around 1 a.m in the parking area adjacent to Hampton Inn, Waffle House and Steak ‘n’Shake near the intersection of Dawson Road and North Westover Boulevard.

According to Berry, some 15 ADDU officers and Lee County deputies took part in the bust.