A Cleveland man is among more than a dozen people charged in connection with a major drug trafficking ring in North Georgia.
On Friday, law enforcement arrested alleged members and suppliers of Larry “Lil Man” Fricks’ drug organization.
“Fricks and his organization have been active in Banks, Hall, and Jackson County and surrounding communities for many years,” says Mitchell Posey of the Appalachian Regional Drug Enforcement Office (ARDEO).
Officers from multiple agencies Friday executed search and arrest warrants in Banks, Jackson, White, Lumpkin, Barrow, and Hall Counties. They took fourteen people into custody and seized $155,000 worth of crystal methamphetamine and marijuana. They also confiscated $13,000 in firearms and numerous vehicles, according to ARDEO.
Multi-agency investigation
The arrests followed a five month long investigation by ARDEO and the Banks and Jackson County Sheriff’s Offices. The Piedmont Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s office and FBI’s North Georgia Major Offender Task Force also assisted in the investigation.
“This investigation indicates that the Fricks’ Drug Trafficking Organization is responsible in five short months for the distribution of more than 100 kilograms of methamphetamine with a street value of 3.5 million dollars,” says Posey.
The following suspects face multiple charges under the Racketeer Influenced Corrupt Organization (RICO) statute.
27-year-old Larry “Little Man” Dwayne Fricks
3772 E. Hall Road, Gainesville, Ga
42-year-old Michael Douglas Gribble
71 King Street, Commerce, Ga
38-year-old Stephanie Mae Pritchett
170 Scott Drive, Winder, Ga
28-year-old Chelsea Mangum Fricks
3772 E. Hall Road, Gainesville, Ga
37-year-old Brandon Dwight Wood
71 Hale Road, Maysville, Ga
52-year-old Dwayne Eldon Fricks
384 Carson Segars Road, Maysville, Ga
34-year-old James Christopher Hood
3018 White Sulphur Road, Gainesville, Ga
45-year-old Walter Cecil Whitehead IV
4384 Todd Road, Braselton, Ga
26-year-old Jared Cody Eller
411 Hogan Road, Cleveland, Ga
59-year-old Timothy “Freebird” Freeman
481 Woodsmill Rd Apt B
Gainesville Ga 30501
31-year-old Matthew Lee Gerrin
1175 Welborn Road, Gillsville, Ga
36-year-old Marty “Go Hard” Thomas
Hancock State Prison
56-year-old Gary “Red” Loyd Brown
288 Melody Lane, Dahlonega, Ga
47-year-old William Dale Gray
621 Homer Road, Commerce, Ga
The suspects arrested on Friday (Jan. 11) were transported to the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office.
A fifteenth suspect, 59-year-old Rickie Nation of Maysville, turned himself into authorities on Sunday, January 13.
“This particular investigation is an example of the value of interagency cooperation,” Posey says. “Because of the strong, existing relationships between the participating agencies, Agents were able to share intelligence and coordinate the dismantling of a complex drug trafficking organization.”
The investigation continues. Additional arrests are expected.
Updated 1/14/19
