Cocaine Bust in Effingham Tuesday

Effingham Police Chief Jason McFarland said he wants the word out...Effingham is not a great place to deal drugs.

A man with a Chicago address was arrested Tuesday afternoon during the execution of a search warrant at the Econolodge on West Fayette.

(INGRAM)

23-year-old Eric Ingram was arrested on a count of possession with intent to distribute cocaine. McFarland said more than five grams of suspected cocaine, along with other items used for drug distribution, were located in Ingram's motel room.

McFarland said city police were assisted by the ILEAS Regional SWAT Team in the execution of the search warrant. He said a risk assessment is completed before such an operation is undertaken and the findings indicated the need for involvement of the Task Force, of which the police department is a member.

(THE SWAT VEHICLE USED IN TUESDAY'S OPERATION)

McFarland said the search warrant was a result of an extensive investigation conducted by city police.

The Chief said on the police department's Facebook page, "For those keeping score at home, this is the 4th arrest of a suspected drug dealer in the past eight weeks." He said, "Things like crack cocaine are often accompanied by weapons and other crime; we're not gonna allow this in our community."