In support of the City Hall Neighborhood Improvement Initiative, the Corpus Christi Police Department  Narcotics Vice Unit conducted two separate search warrant operations on Tuesday afternoon.  The City Hall Initiative is a cooperative effort between several city departments to improve living conditions and eradicate drug dealing in the neighborhood surrounding City Hall.  The target area is bordered by Staples Street to the east, Laredo Street to the south,  S.H. 286 on the west, and IH 37 to the north.

At approximately 2:30 p.m., Officers with the Police Department’s Narcotics and Vice Investigations Unit simultaneously served search warrants at 508 Mexico and 315 Josephine Streets, resulting in the arrest of one man and the seizure of a substantial amount of crack cocaine and over $1,500 in cash.

At 508 Mexico, Narcotics officers discovered that the target of the warrant, Jesusa Martinez (DOB: 03/18/93) had been arrested the night before by patrol officers while in possession of 23 rocks of crack cocaine.  During the search warrant, Narcotics officers located a shotgun and uncovered several Code violations.  Code Enforcement Officers assisted during the warrant and began an immediate investigation into the violations.  The landlord told Officers he would begin eviction proceedings against Martinez.

Officers at 315 Josephine found Jonathon Terrell Finklea (DOB: 03/15/81) in possession of 28 grams of crack cocaine and $1,552 as well as some ammunition.  Finklea was arrested and booked at the City Detention Center.  Finklea’s landlord also agreed to begin eviction proceedings against him.

Narcotics Vice Investigations Unit Captain David Cook said he is confident that with the continued diligent work of his unit’s personnel, the drug dealing problem in the area will be significantly diminished.  Cook stated, “This police action is only the beginning of a concerted effort by the Corpus Christi Police Department, Code Enforcement, Solid Waste, and the Graffiti Unit to address the ongoing quality of life issues in the area.” Cook added that his officers have obtained an additional 11 arrest warrants for suspected drug dealers in the City Hall Initiative area; officers will continue to serve the warrants throughout the coming days and weeks.