B. Castagno         D. Castagno          P. Becker                H. Briley

Several narcotics search warrants executed in rural Scammon Friday led to multiple arrests and the seizure of methamphetamine, cocaine and a firearm.

Just before 7:00 a.m., investigators and deputies with the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office executed the first search warrant at 307 East Roseland Boulevard, where suspected methamphetamine, marijuana and drug paraphernalia was seized.  Barney Castagno, 59, was arrested at the scene and transported to the Cherokee County Jail on allegations of Possession of Methamphetamine with Intent to Distribute, Possession of Methamphetamine and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. He is being held on $23,000.00 bond.

Also arrested was 50-year-old Paula Becker.  She is being held in the Cherokee County Jail in lieu of $7,000.00 bond on allegations of Possession of Methamphetamine, Marijuana and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

A second search warrant was executed just after 8:00 a.m. at 5895 Northwest 19th Street, where suspected cocaine, methamphetamine, a firearm and items consistent with the distribution of illegal narcotics were located and seized. 

Arrested at that location was Domenic Castagno, 41, and 22-year-old Hannah Briley.  They were both transported to the Cherokee County Jail where they are being held in lieu of $27,000.00 each on allegations of Possessing Cocaine with Intent to Distribute, Possessing Methamphetamine, Criminal Use of a Firearm, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and two counts of Aggravated Felony Child Endangerment.  Two juvenile children, who were present at the time, were taken into Police Protective Custody.

A third search warrant was executed at about 1:30 p.m. for the property located at 5789 Northwest 19th Street.  During the course of the search, investigators discovered additional methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia, believed to be connected to the suspects arrested during the previous warrants.

“Those arrested today, and those who we anticipate arresting in the near future as a result of these investigations, have been known to be, or suspected of being, involved in illegal activity for quite some time,” according to Cherokee County Sheriff David Groves.

“While some investigations take longer than others to develop, I’m appreciative of the good police work demonstrated by our investigators and deputies to get these suspects apprehended, cocaine and methamphetamine out of our community, and children removed from a toxic environment,” concluded Sheriff Groves.