Organized crime ring busted in Baytown
From the city of Baytown Police Department:
A six month, multi-department investigation into an organized crime ring operating at the Bamboo Hut Car Wash and Detail on Garth Road ended yesterday with Baytown Special Operations detectives filing 11 felonies and 5 misdemeanors on 10 defendants.
Detectives began investigating suspicious activity at this business in February, after observing open-air drug transactions taking place. They further found the car detailing business, located at 2200 Garth Road in Baytown, served as a front for narcotics trafficking by a group of men who identified themselves on social media as the “Royal Anything Test Dead Crew”. The Harris County Sheriff’s Department Narcotics/Vice Unit provided deputies to work collaboratively with the Baytown Special Operations Unit in an undercover capacity. Over the next six months, deputies purchased quantities of cocaine, ecstasy and marijuana from defendants Jamal Desir, Jamal Francis, Victor Mathews, Jeffrey Akeem and a fifth co-defendant to be named later. Detectives obtained warrants for the arrest of these men on August 13th.
On the afternoon of August 14th, the arrest warrants were served at the Bamboo Hut by the Baytown / La Porte Police SWAT Unit, Baytown Special Operations Unit, Baytown Hot Spot Unit, Harris County Narcotics/Vice Unit and Harris County Joint Task Force. Fifteen people were initially detained at the business. A mobile booking area was established near the scene by detention officers with the Baytown Municipal Jail. The Baytown Fire Department and La Porte EMS were on scene to provide emergency medical assistance and cold water. Fortunately there were no injuries during this operation.
The following defendants were arrested or charged:
Jamal Desir (29 year old Pasadena resident) warrants for Felony 3 Engaging in Organized Crime and State Jail Felony Delivery of a Marijuana.
Jamal Francis (27 year old Baytown resident) warrants for Felony 3 Engaging in Organized Crime and Felony 2 Delivery of a Controlled Substance – Ecstasy.
Victor Mathew (30 year old Baytown resident) warrants for Felony 3 Engaging in Organized Crime and Felony 2 Delivery of a Controlled Substance – Ecstasy. During his arrest, he was found in possession of 6 grams of ecstasy, 2 grams of hydrocodone, 1.5 grams of Xanax and 360 grams of marijuana. He received an additional charge of Felony 2 Possession of a Controlled Substance – ecstasy.
Jeffrey Akeem (27 year old Baytown resident) Jeffrey was already in the Harris County Jail and was charged in-custody for Felony 3 Engaging in Organized Crime and Felony 2 Delivery of a Controlled Substance – Cocaine. He sold narcotics to deputies prior to his June 23rd arrest for the Aggravated Robbery of Domino’s on North Alexander.
Unnamed co-defendant – He was not present. Detectives anticipate locating and arresting this defendant on his warrant for Felony 3 Engaging in Organized Crime within the next week. I will update this release with his name and photograph at that time.
James Landry (34 year old Baytown resident) he was found in possession of 179 grams of marijuana and charged with State Jail Felony Possession of Marijuana.
Karisa Meineke-Saurer (30 year old Baytown resident) she was found with 93.3 grams of marijuana and a 9mm handgun. She was charged with Misdemeanor B Possession of Marijuana and Misdemeanor A Unlawful Possession of a Firearm.
Cody Spyker (21 year old Baytown resident) he was found with 20 grams of marijuana and charged with Misdemeanor B Possession of Marijuana.
Hubert Hickinson (45 year old Baytown resident) he was found with 102 grams of marijuana and charged with Misdemeanor B Possession of Marijuana.
Sean Doward (29 year old Baytown resident) he was found with 4 grams of marijuana and charged with Misdemeanor B Possession of Marijuana. He also had an outstanding Misdemeanor C warrant for Possession of Narcotics Paraphernalia.