CLARKESVILLE, Ga. — Twenty people have been arrested following a months-long multi-agency investigation into a drug trafficking organization operating across North Georgia.
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation’s Appalachian Regional Drug Enforcement Office (ARDEO) announced Wednesday that agents and partner agencies dismantled the network during “Operation Silent Hand,” a coordinated effort targeting the distribution of methamphetamine, fentanyl and oxycodone in Hall, Habersham, Franklin, Stephens, White and Gwinnett counties.
On March 4, law enforcement officers executed nine search warrants and 16 arrest warrants across the region. Investigators say the organization maintained contacts in metro Atlanta to help facilitate the trafficking of illegal narcotics and diverted pharmaceutical opioids.
During the investigation, agents seized about 32 kilograms of methamphetamine, four pounds of fentanyl, numerous diverted pharmaceutical opioids and multiple firearms, according to Ken Howard, special agent in charge of the GBI’s Appalachian Regional Drug Enforcement Office.
Sixteen suspects are charged with violating Georgia’s Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO):
William Doug Allen, 54, Lula
Tonya Doster Pitts, 51, Lula
Chad O’Neal Davis, 54, Demorest
Bart William Starks, 58, Canon
Randall Stewart Hill, 57, Canon
Leslie Nicole Brown Cedillo, 39, Cleveland
Yvonn Parker Brown, 64, Toccoa
Amy Michelle Williams, 51, Toccoa
Breann Denae Coalley, 54, Mt. Airy
Haven Douglas Allen, 31, Alto
Arthur Lee Poore, 63, Gainesville
Rodney Wayne Crump, 59, Alto
Kandi Nicole Stewart, 48, Demorest
Mona Lisa Summers, 62, Mt. Airy
Sarita King Davidson, 60, Cornelia
Linda Waddell Thompson, 62, Demorest
All suspects were booked into the Hall or Habersham county jails.
The investigation remains active, and additional arrests and charges are possible, Howard said.
The arrests follow a daylong law enforcement operation across Habersham County on Wednesday. As previously reported by Now Georgia, agents were seen at several locations throughout the county, including a residence on Minyard Lane near Clarkesville, areas off Highway 17 in northern Habersham County and along Crane Mill Road to the south.
Habersham County Sheriff Robin Krockum confirmed his office assisted with the operation.
The investigation involved multiple agencies, including the GBI Appalachian Regional Drug Enforcement Office, the FBI North Georgia Major Offenders Task Force and sheriff’s offices in Habersham, Stephens, Franklin, Banks and Gwinnett counties, as well as the Toccoa Police Department.
Anyone with information related to drug activity is encouraged to contact the GBI ARDEO at 706-348-7410 or submit an anonymous tip through the GBI’s See Something, Send Something app.
