2 drug busts in 2 days

ORONOKO TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WOOD) - Authorities in Berrien County conducted two separate drug busts this week.

The Berrien County Sheriff's Department's Narcotics Unit, Berrien County Sheriff's Department's Road Patrol and Berrien Springs-Oronoko Township Police Department were part of the first investigation.

Police executed a search warrant at 6:10 p.m. Wednesday at 7491 S. M-139 in Oronoko Township, after citizens tipped off police about illegal narcotic activity there.

Police saw Larry Fredericks, 41, and Jill Evans, 45, inside the residence.

Police seized about $1,000 worth of marijuana, other evidence of illegal narcotic trafficking, a rifle that Fredericks is prohibited from possessing due to a prior felony conviction, $3,290 in cash, a 2003 GMC pickup truck, and a 2002 Chevrolet Monte Carlo.

Fredericks and Evans were taken to the Berrien County Jail. Fredericks faces charges of possession of marijuana with the intent to deliver (second offense), maintaining a drug house (second offense) and felon in possession of a firearm. Evans faces charges of possession of marijuana with the intent to deliver (second offense), maintaining a drug house (second offense) and valid warrant for contempt of court.  

Then at 5:12 p.m. Thursday, the Berrien County Sheriff's Department's Narcotics Unit and Berrien County Sheriff's Department's Road Patrol executed a search warrant for illegal narcotics at 776 Pearl St. in Benton Harbor.

Officers seized crack cocaine and other miscellaneous narcotic related items, and arrested these people --

The four residents were arrested on these charges --

Craig Farmer, 56 -- possession of cocaine

Sharell Austin, 43 -- possession of cocaine (second offense)

Harold Farmer, 62 -- possession of cocaine (second offense)

Elbert Brown, 44 -- possession of cocaine