Berrien County Sheriff's Narcotics Unit Press Release

Officers of the Berrien County Narcotics Unit served a search warrant for the illegal sale of crack cocaine at the address of 1877 Colfax Avenue, Apartment #3, in Benton Township.   Information was obtained that illegal sales have been occurring over the past months. 

The residence is located a couple blocks from the Fairplain Middle School, Officers were watching the residence prior to the search warrant service and observed 2 adults leave the residence in a vehicle.  Officers had a Berrien County Road Patrol Deputy conduct a traffic stop on the vehicle after it left the residence.  Narcotics Officers had the Road Patrol Deputy return the suspects back to the residence. After the subjects were returned back to the residence a search of the residence recovered a quantity of crack cocaine having the street value of $1,400.00.  Officers also located a quantity of pain pills inside the residence and on the female adult. 

Officers seized under the Michigan Civil Forfeiture Law $441.00 in US Currency and a 1997 Ford F150 truck. 

After the subsequent investigation, Barber who is on Federal Probation for a unrelated charge was arrested and charged with possession with intent to deliver crack cocaine 2nd offense, maintaining a drug house 2nd offense, and violation of the drug free school zone due to the fact that the residence was within 1000 feet from an active school (Fairplain Middle School).  Bridgeman was arrested for maintaining a drug house and an outstanding felony warrant for uttering and publishing.     

The Berrien County Narcotics Unit asks for the community to call and report suspicious activities occurring in their community or call Crimestoppers at 1-800-342-STOP. 

A copy of this incident will be forwarded to the Berrien County Prosecutors Office for review on the pending charges.