Four suspects were arrested last week on drug charges in Pembroke.

The week prior, the unit arrested four people in Pembroke on drug charges and Pembroke Police Department Sgt. Billy Gray said there more arrests are likely to follow. He said the arrests are part of a joint effort initiated by PPD Chief Bill Collins and others, to join intelligence with Effingham, Bulloch and Chatham counties to bust drug dealers in the area.

"Pembroke is such a small town, with only nine full time officers, but we’ve seen where we can make a much bigger impact on drug activity in the area by combining forces with these other agencies," Gray said.

All of the recent local arrests were headed up by Gray and Bryan County Sheriff’s Department Sgt. Gary Provost. The two have fronted the local drug task force for a couple years now.

On Jan. 10, Gray and PPD Officer Daniel Woodcock were surveilling Ellabell residents Lakeener Gaines, 29, and Tabatha Mutcherson, 27, as they allegedly sold a half ounce of marijuana and two oxycontin pills in a vehicle parked near Rogers Road and Strickland Street in Pembroke.

Both were subsequently arrested and charged for selling drugs.

Both women bonded out on Monday - Mutcherson on a $10,000 bond and Gaines on an $11,670 bond.

On Jan. 8, Effingham authorities assisted as PPD and BCSD officers arrested Bloomingdale couple Christina Ruth, 22, and Herb Garrett, 18 for selling drugs, according to Sgt. Provost.

The boyfriend-girlfriend duo was under surveillance when they were allegedly observed selling approximately two ounces of marijuana at Morgan’s Bridge boat landing in Ellabell.

The two were arrested and charged with selling marijuana at a county park.

They both bonded out of the Bryan County Jail on Monday after a $15,000 bond on each was posted.