Seven suspects now in custody face multiple gun, drug and other charges following a raid on a Statesboro apartment early Friday morning.

According to a release from Capt. Jared Akins of the Statesboro Police Department, SPD officers responded to an apartment complex on Georgia Avenue at 4:30 a.m. Friday for a forced entry into a vehicle report.

Believing the suspects may still be nearby, SPD and GSUPD officers patrolled the surrounding area, Akins said.

“Two males were observed walking by GSU officers on Lanier Drive near GATA Drive, Akins said. “When officers attempted to contact the two men, they ran away.

“One, who was in possession of a firearm when initially seen, was observed entering an apartment on Lanier Drive.”

Officers surrounded the apartment and attempted to summon the occupants without success.

Akins said detectives responded and obtained a search warrant for the residence, which was served by SPD’s SWAT team.

During the subsequent search, approximately five kilograms of marijuana was found, along with three guns, one of which was stolen from a car entering Nov. 7 on Southern Court. Other stolen property from another Georgia Avenue was found going into the car, Akins said.

He is charged in the following cases:

1. Ja’shon Branch (17, Twin City, Ga): possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony and tampering with evidence.

2. Elijah Wells (19, Bay St, Statesboro): Entering a motor vehicle (2 counts), tampering with evidence and possession of marijuana (felony)

3. Jellant Walker (24, Swainsboro, Ga): Tampering with evidence, possession of marijuana (felony)

4. Ashlee Lambert (19, Lanier Drive, Statesboro): Tampering with evidence, possession of marijuana (felony)

5. Tatiana Hill (19, Augusta, Ga.): Possession of Marijuana (Misdemeanor)

6. Makayla Hampton (19, Washington, Ga.): Possession of Marijuana (Misdemeanor)

7. Tymarion Jackson (18, Old Pond Lane, Statesboro): Possession of Marijuana (Misdemeanor)

Also, Akins said, investigations into cars that recently entered the Lanier Drive area are ongoing and additional arrests are anticipated.

Information can be provided to Senior Detective Keith Holloway at (912) 764-9911 or by submitting an anonymous tip through the Statesboro PD website using the “Submit a tip” link.