GIFFORD — Five people have been arrested on various charges in the Gifford area after the Indian River County Sheriff’s Office Multi-Agency Criminal Enforcement (M.A.C.E.) Unit, with assistance from the Special Weapons and Tactics (S.W.A.T.) Team, served two search warrants over the course of Wednesday and Thursday nights.
Wednesday’s search in the 3900 block of 47th Street yielded 33 oxycodone pills, a .22-caliber short revolver and ammunition, more than $1,600 of suspected drug money, marijuana, and drug paraphernalia including digital scales and rolling papers.
In Thursday night’s search, detectives recovered two more oxycodone pills and 16 grams of crack cocaine from a home in the 4800 block of 32nd Avenue.
The first search resulted in the arrests of Nathaniel Bryant, 46, James O. Bryant, 52, and Mary Beth Elliott, 32, all of Gifford.
James Bryant was charged with trafficking in oxycodone, possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon, and introduction of contraband into a detention facility.
Nathaniel Bryant was charged with possession of less than twenty grams of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Mary Beth Elliott was charged with resisting arrest without violence.
“This is the second search warrant we have executed at the Bryant’s residence since July of this year,” said Indian River County Sheriff’s Office M.A.C.E. Detective Scott Prouty.
Nathaniel Bryant is currently awaiting trial on his previous charges of possession of cocaine, methadone, hydrocodone, and more.
Thursday’s search resulted in the arrest of Jermaine Mortimer, 31, and Cornelius Hield, 35, both of Gifford.
Mortimer and Hield were both charged with possession of cocaine, possession of a controlled substance, and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Detectives also located five adult pit bulls and two pit bull puppies during Thursday’s search. The dogs were turned over to Indian River County Animal Control for further investigation.
Animal-related charges may be forthcoming, pending the outcome of the investigation.
“Our M.A.C.E. Unit and S.W.A.T. Team put their lives on the line every day for the safety of our community,” said Indian River County Sheriff Deryl Loar. “They are to be commended for their efforts. In both of these cases, dangerous felons and drug dealers were taken off the streets.”
