Atlanta police shut down alleged drug making operation on 16th St.

ATLANTA — Atlanta police are crediting tips and complaints from citizens for leading them to an apartment in northwest Atlanta where they found what was described as a large scale drug manufacturing operation.

Police arrested 39-year-old Christopher Albert and 33-year-old Brooke Holeman and charged them with multiple drug crimes when they executed a search warrant at the apartment building located at 223 16th St.

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APD said they began monitoring the apartment in November after getting tips about the potential drug activity. The departments Narcotics Unit reported seeing signs of illegal drug activity and manufacturing along with watching one of the suspects pouring chemicals down a nearby public drain.

Narcotics investigators said it took them several weeks to secure the search warrant. Once the warrant was executed, they arrested Albert and Holeman and recovered narcotics, equipment used to forge documents and fake identification cards.

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Narcotics investigators reported seizing 535 grams of heroin, six pounds of marijuana, 349 Oxycodone pills, 460 grams of Xanax pills, 43 grams of methamphetamine, 2 packs of THC infused edible candies, a 9 mm handgun, $477 in cash a printing machine and several fake drivers license and credit cards.

Channel 2′s Elizabeth Rawlins spoke to neighbors about the bust.

“It all happened pretty quickly,” neighbor Craig Blythe said. “I heard they were knocking on the door over there, so I look out my window and they broke the door down.”

Police said Albert was charged with: trafficking heroin, trafficking methamphetamine, possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, possession of schedule II narcotics with intent to distribute, possession of false identification documents and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

Holeman is facing charges of possession of a forgery device and possession of false identification documents.

“You never know what’s going on at the house next door,” neighbor Colin Mackey said.

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Police credit the tips they received from the community in making them aware of the issue which helped lead to the arrests. They remind people they can call the police department any time to report a potential problem or they can contact Crime Stoppers Greater Atlanta at 404-577-TIPS (8477) to report potential crimes, suspicious activity and tips. Tips to Crime Stoppers can remain anonymous and could be eligible for a reward.

The city of Atlanta said there is no health threat to the public after investigators say the two suspects allegedly poured chemicals down a nearby storm drain.

City officials say these storm drains are connected to the city’s runoff system, not the drinking water system. They sent a statement to channel 2 saying in part, “The incident poses no impact on public health, as there is no exposure to the public. Most storm water runoff dilutes chemical concentrations.”

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