Police arrest 5 people, seize drugs and guns in drug trafficking operation

The St. Joseph County Drug Investigation Unit executed 4 search warrants Friday in connection with a suspected drug trafficking ring. The warrants resulted in five arrests and the seizure of drugs, cash, firearms and ammunition.

Search warrants were served at four addresses in South Bend:

• 726 S. Liberty
• 314 S. Illinois
• 114 N. Illinois
• 2001 Lincolnway West

Officers seized over 100 grams of Fentanyl and over $32,000 in cash, 6 handguns, one rifle, ammunition as well as cocaine; heroin; methamphetamine; and marijuana.

• Richard Lamont Howard, Jr., 24, of Chicago, Illinois, has been charged with dealing in a narcotic drug, a level 5 felony.
• Jaronna Jermanae Groves, 21, of South Bend, has been charged with dealing in a narcotic drug, a level 4 felony.
• Kenshon Wright, 23, of South Bend, has been charged with dealing in a narcotic drug, a level 5 felony.
• Rashee Santana Herron, a.k.a. Joelic Heron, 26, of South Bend, has been charged with dealing in a narcotic drug, a level 2 felony.
• Damone McFerren, 22, of South Bend has been charged with two counts of dealing in a narcotic drug, a level 5 felony.

The following agencies participated in the operation:

• South Bend Police Department
• South Bend Police Department SWAT Team
• Mishawaka Police Department
• St. Joseph County Police Department
• St. Joseph County Metro SWAT Unit
• Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF)
• Federal Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)