By: Andy Kozlowski | Roseville-Eastpointe Eastsider | Published March 3, 2024
EASTPOINTE — A joint operation between county and state agencies led to the seizure of weapons and illicit drugs in Eastpointe and Detroit, as well as the arrest of a local man accused of distributing cocaine and oxycodone.
The suspect is Zerell Archie, 29, of Eastpointe. He was taken into custody Feb. 15 during a raid conducted by the Macomb County Sheriff’s Enforcement Team, which is also known as S.E.T.; the County of Macomb Enforcement Team, aka COMET; the Macomb County Sheriff’s Office Special Weapons and Tactics unit; and the Michigan State Police Emergency Support Team.
Together, they executed two search warrants for narcotics — one in Eastpointe and the other in Detroit — and reportedly seized about 8 grams of crack cocaine, nearly 120 suspected fentanyl pills, psilocybin mushrooms, two rifles, five handguns, multiple loaded gun magazines and ammo boxes, scales and packaging material for the drugs, a Ram pickup truck, and more than $1,000 in cash.
Authorities said that most of the firearms seized were loaded and unsecured, and that at one property there had been five children, ages 11 months to 14 years. Police said the children could have easily accessed the loaded guns.
Authorities did not specify where Archie was arrested, but said he was taken into custody without incident and has since been held at the Macomb County Jail.
Archie was arraigned Feb. 16 in Eastpointe’s 38th District Court, where he was charged with manufacturing and delivering cocaine, a 20-year felony; manufacturing and delivering oxycodone, a five-year felony; felon in possession of a firearm, a two-year felony; possession of psilocybin, a one-year misdemeanor; and fourth-degree child abuse, a one-year misdemeanor.
His bond was set at $75,000, 10% cash or surety. On Feb. 26, according to court records, he posted a surety bond. At press time, he had no attorney on record.
In a prepared statement, Macomb County Sheriff Anthony Wickersham commended his team.
“The members of Sheriff’s Enforcement Team successfully oversee incredibly high-stress situations daily, including conducting extensive narcotics investigations, executing high-profile search warrants, apprehending dangerous fugitives, and assisting with major criminal investigations,” Wickersham stated. “This recent operation was highly successful in that SET removed a large quantity of highly addictive and dangerous drugs from circulation.
“Additionally, what was deeply concerning about this incident was the large number of loaded guns scattered throughout the house, easily accessible by the five children in the residence,” he said. “It is a miracle that none of these children were injured or became the victims of an even greater tragedy.”