The FBI and other law enforcement agencies arrested 17 gang members in raids in Jackson County, Athens and metro Atlanta earlier this week, targeting a drug ring that trafficked fentanyl, cocaine, and other drugs.
One of those raids occurred in Arcade on Jimmy Reynolds Drive and Tyler Circle. A man who lives in that area told 11 Alive he heard police yelling that they had a warrant and for the people inside a house to come out with their hands up.
Jackson County Sheriff Kevin McCook said agents hit about three different houses targeting gang members.
“They’re not just hitting random people,” McCook said. “We’re not just pulling a slot machine, hoping we get something. There’s background information that has been done, a lot of legwork has been done in this particular instance.”
U.S. Attorney William R. “Will” Keyes announced the unsealing of two federal indictments and one criminal complaint charging the group with a variety of drug conspiracy and distribution charges. If convicted, they all could face a maximum of life in prison, according to a news release issued Tuesday afternoon.
Items seized during the raids included: A grenade launcher, 26 guns, nearly a million dollars in drugs and money, 26 kilograms of cocaine, 1.7 kilograms of fentanyl, as well as meth and crack cocaine.