Search of two residences turns up cash, suspected illegal drugs

Staff reports

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ALBANY – Area law enforcement agencies seized marijuana, cocaine and other controlled substances, along with cash, and made three arrests during a Saturday operation.

Officers with the Albany-Dougherty Special Investigative Unit (SIU) and Albany Police Department Criminal Investigative Unit executed a search warrant at 129 Mossydale Lane as part of the investigation, according to a news release issued by the SIU.

There, officers seized about 135 pounds of suspected marijuana and 12 ounces of  cocaine, as well as three grams of suspected synthetic marijuana (spice) and what were identified as Sildenafil, known by the brand name Viagra. In addition, $9,804 in cash was seized, the news release said, along with two machines used for counting currency.

As a result of that search, police arrested Benelius Paige, 47, and 25-year-old Machia Morton. Each was charged with trafficking cocaine, trafficking marijuana, possession of spice, possession of dangerous drugs and possession of drug-related objects. Paige also was charged with possession of cocaine with intent to distribute.

During the investigation police also searched 2745 McLain Lane, where an additional 17 pounds of suspected marijuana and 6 grams of suspected spice were seized. A small amount of suspected cocaine and suspected ecstasy pills also were found at that address, the news release said.

Viridiana Manzano, 32, was charged with trafficking marijuana, possession of a Schedule controlled substance, possession of spice, possession of cocaine with intent to distribute and possession of drug-related objects.

The investigation is continuing and other arrests could follow.