Drug agents recently made two major marijuana busts in Northeast Georgia. The cases, which officials say are unrelated, resulted in the seizure of approximately $100,000 in illegal drugs and landed two men in jail. More arrests are pending.
Gainesville man arrested after month-long investigation
The first arrest was made on Thursday, April 21, following a month-long investigation. Hall County Sheriff’s Office investigators and agents from the Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Task Force say they found a stash of illegal drugs inside a house on Riverbend Circle.
Authorities arrived at the residence just before 10 a.m. and found 24 lbs. of marijuana, a quantity of MDMA pills and two vials of suspected steroids, according to the sheriff’s office. The estimated street value of the narcotics is $60,500. Authorities found two pistols and one rifle in the house. They also seized $26,000 worth of jewelry and $3,200 in cash.
Khamsouk Nifong, 34, who lived at the residence, has been charged with trafficking marijuana, possession of marijuana with the intent to distribute, possession of MDMA and three counts of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Nifong was arrested at the scene without incident. He remains in the Hall County Jail with no bond.
The investigation into this case continues and officials say more arrests are expected.
Norcross man nabbed after allegedly receiving drug shipment
A Gwinnett County man remains in custody at the Hall County Jail following his arrest last week on marijuana trafficking charges in Gainesville.
Investigators with the Hall County Sheriff’s Office and agents with the Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Task Force conducted a drug investigation in the 2300 block of Dawsonville Highway on Friday, April 22.
Authorities say Jose Mendoza-Gutierrez, 32, of Norcross arrived at a Gainesville residence Friday afternoon and picked up a package that contained a large quantity of marijuana. Shortly after the suspect picked up the package, he was arrested at a location on Browns Bridge Road.
Authorities say the package contained approximately 16 lbs. of marijuana destined for distribution in Gainesville. The estimated street value of the marijuana is $40,000.
FBI Safe Streets Task Force assisted in the arrest.
The arrests of Nifong and Mendoza-Gutierrez follow another drug trafficking case made last week in Oakwood.
Rodney Van Tobler, 52, and Jeremy Sean Gates, 34, were arrested when authorities with the Hall County Sheriff’s Office conducted a search warrant on a residence in the 4400 block of Plum Frost Court in Oakwood. Deputies charged both men with trafficking heroin and cocaine.
