Published: September 15, 2007 06:43 pm      

Pounds of pot recovered

By Kelly Young

news@jacksonvilleprogress.com

Approximately 24 pounds of marijuana were recovered Monday by the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Department near Lake Palestine. Investigators were in the area of County Road 3504 attempting to arrest a local man for aggravated assault when they the discovered the drugs.

“We had been searching for a David Ebanez regarding an aggravated assault when we spotted a vehicle matching the description of one that he might be traveling in. Before we were able to turn around and stop the vehicle, it turned into a residential area,” said Chief Investigator Chris White.

“We found two trash bags containing seven individually-wrapped packages of marijuana, which we believe to have been discarded by the vehicle.”

The vehicle was found abandoned about a block from the marijuana.

Tracking K-9 units were brought in, but were unable to locate the occupants of the car.

“Ebanez is just a suspect in this crime at this time — we can’t even say that he was in the car that we followed, but I can say that the drugs were found during a manhunt for David,” White said.

According to White, the fact that the marijuana was individually wrapped tells him that it was intended for distribution not personal use. The seized drugs would have a potential street value of approximately $20,000.

“If an arrest is made it will be for manufacture and delivery not for possession. The packaging materials are being sent to the DPS (Department of Public Safety) crime lab where it will be tested and checked for fingerprints,” White said.

“Texas Department of Corrections officers, highway patrol troopers and Texas game wardens assisted CCSD in the search for the suspects.”

Ebanez is still being sought for aggravated assault, and a $500 crimestopper award has been offered for anyone providing information that leads to his arrest. He is a 35-year-old Hispanic male with black hair, brown eyes and has a medium build. Ebanez stands 5’9” tall and weights approximately 198 pounds.

In you have any information regarding Ebanez or the recovered marijuana, contact CCSD at 903-683-2271.