An 11-month drug investigation has led to 48 arrests and more than 50 kilos of methamphetamine seized, according to authorities. 

The estimated value of the drugs seized was $705,000. 

The arrests were announced at 11 a.m. Friday, July 10, at the Hall County Sheriff’s Office. Georgia Bureau of Investigation Director Vic Reynolds was flanked by representatives from local law enforcement — Sheriff Gerald Couch and Gainesville Police Chief Jay Parrish — as well as other regional law enforcement leaders. 

Reynolds said the investigation “centered around a major methamphetamine and heroin trafficking distribution ring operating here in the Northeast Georgia area” and reaching into the metro Atlanta area. 

The Appalachian Regional Drug Enforcement Office and the FBI Major Offenders Task Force worked together in the investigation that also seized half a kilogram of heroin, weapons, cash and vehicles. 

“As you look up here this morning, this is a great example of how this is supposed to work. When you have this type of inter-agency cooperation at a federal level, at a state level and a local level and you work in conjunction with your prosecution partners, that’s the way law enforcement is supposed to work,” Reynolds said. 

The GBI said the investigation started in August 2019 into Luther Troy Summerfield, 43, of Alto, Alejandro Ceja-Solano, 40, of Mt. Airy, and others. 

Authorities learned Summerfield allegedly “purchased and distributed kilograms of methamphetamine from Ceja-Solano,” according to the GBI.  

“Information obtained from numerous hours of investigation also revealed that Summerfield traveled to Ceja-Solano’s residence to obtain drugs and traveled to the metro Atlanta area to obtain heroin and methamphetamine, either facilitated by Ceja-Solano, or another source of supply,” according to the GBI. 

The charges will include violation of the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organization Act. 

Reynolds said more arrests may happen. 

When asked if any county had the predominant amount of activity, authorities said it was spread throughout all of Northeast Georgia. 

The GBI said the following people were arrested: 

Tanya Lynn Allison, 48, of Alto-arrested 

Katlynn Marie Beaucaire, of Gillsville-arrested 

Richard Daniel Burkett, of Buford-arrested 

Dulcey Burton, 51, of Cleveland-arrested 

Alejandro Ceja-Solano-arrested 

Jose Alfredo Miranda Chavez-already in custody 

Jessica Marie Clark, 28, of Commerce-arrested 

Noah Coker-in prison 

Mark Coker, of Gainesville-arrested 

Joshua Collins, of Cornelia-already in custody 

Kevin Cosper, of Baldwin-arrested 

Robyn Samantha Dost, 27, of Maysville-arrested 

Chelsea Dover, 30, of Cleveland-arrested 

Shelbi Eanes, 25, of Commerce-arrested 

Juan Antonio Flores-custody in Gwinnett 

Brandi Nicole Freeman, of Cornelia-arrested 

Jory Gee, 33, of Gillsville-arrested 

Roger Dale Gerrin, 62, of Alto-arrested 

Robert Green-already in custody in Lumpkin 

Dexter Grier, 40, of Lula-arrested 

Nucoma Grindle, 42, of Lula-arrested 

Dustin Floyd Groves, of Alto-arrested 

Terry Harris, of Gainesville-arrested 

Christy Deresia Hedden, of Gillsville-arrested 

Jerry Lee Helton, of Baldwin-arrested 

Crystal Marie Herrin, of Cornelia-arrested

Brooke Barron Hicks, of Alto-arrested 

Christopher Jackson, 33, of Commerce-arrested 

Kimberly Ann Kennedy, of Winder-arrested 

Richard Jason Maddox, of Mt. Airy-arrested 

Marinela Romeiro Marquez, of Athens-arrested 

Pablo Martinez-already in custody 

Shayna Millwood, of Alto-arrested 

Allie Murray, of Cornelia-arrested 

William Harrison Nicely, of Alto-arrested 

Ashley Parker-already in custody 

Joshua Ray Phillips-already in custody 

Kirstie Purvis, of Cleveland-arrested 

Brianne Ross Rummell-already in custody 

Michael Rummel, of Gillsville-arrested 

Coty Anthony Sanders, of Maysville-arrested 

Jeffrey Shane Seabolt-arrested 

Erin Sexton, of Toccoa-arrested 

Jessie Elaine Smith, of Alto-arrested 

Seantal Tiffany Smith, of Peachtree Corners-arrested 

Luther Troy Summerfield-arrested 

Delores Thomas, of Lula-arrested 

Anthony Williams-in custody 

Residence information was not immediately available for all arrest 

See the original Gainesville Times story here.