Two suspected drug traffickers remain behind bars in Rabun County following a major cocaine bust.
Deputies arrested Jose Arzola and Amber Castillo Santana, both of Clayton, on May 31. Their arrests followed a narcotics investigation that began with an anonymous tip.
During that investigation, deputies executed a search warrant at the suspects’ storage unit on the north end of the county. The Rabun County Sheriff’s Office says during the search, deputies seized approximately 420 grams of suspected cocaine.
The estimated street value of the drugs is $42,000.
Chief Deputy Scott Cheek says the couple had just recently moved to Rabun County.
“The Criminal Investigations Division, led by Captain Marty Talley, was able to take a very proactive approach to dismantling the newly setup operation,” says Cheek. “This couple just moved to Rabun County and decided this was going to be their means of living. Mr. Arzola had recently been released from Federal Prison for his involvement in a Drug Trafficking Operation. Maybe Arzola will learn that drug dealing is not going to be a successful business for him, at least in Rabun County.”
Deputies charged both suspects with trafficking cocaine. Arzola and Santana are being held in the Rabun County Detention Center.
‘One piece of the puzzle’
While drugs are a problem in communities across Northeast Georgia, most arrests in this region involve methamphetamine and heroin. The fact this one involved a significant amount of cocaine makes it notable.
“The Rabun County Sheriff’s Office has experienced investigators with the knowledge and training coupled with the tools and resources that are necessary to successfully investigate and prosecute these types of cases,” says Cheek. “We are very proud of their work!”
Still, Cheek stresses that making an arrest “is only one piece of the puzzle” when it comes to combating the area’s drug problem.
“We encourage anyone who is affected by substance abuse to seek help so that they can get their life back.”
Anyone with information about illegal drug activity in Rabun County may submit an anonymous tip through the Rabun Sheriff App. Versions are available for both Ios and Android devices. Information may also be emailed to [email protected].
This article has been updated with additional information
