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.
