Authorities arrested nine people on drug charges during a drug sweep this week in North Georgia. Four of the suspects are from Cleveland. The arrests followed a year-long investigation by federal, state, and local authorities.
Bernard Jermaine House, 43, of Buford, is the primary suspect in the investigation. Agents arrested and charged House with one count of conspiracy to distribute heroin and five counts of distribution of heroin. More charges are pending against him.
Agents accuse House of running a drug trafficking organization in North Georgia. On Wednesday, December 9, law enforcement executed search warrants at four addresses associated with the alleged operation, according to Trent Hillsman, head of the Appalachian Regional Drug Enforcement Office. Officers arrested the following suspects in Banks, Hall, Lumpkin, and White counties:
- Christian Wright, 30, of Gainesville, charged with two counts of trafficking heroin, distribution of heroin, trafficking cocaine, trafficking methamphetamine, and possession of marijuana.
- Bobby Joe Holloman, 47, of Gainesville, charged with two counts of convicted felon in possession of a firearm, possession of heroin, and possession of cocaine.
- Jason Brannon, 44, of Homer, charged with possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute.
- Tiffany Kinney, 38, of Homer, charged with possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute.
- Brendan Hand, 31, of Cleveland, was charged with possession of heroin.
- DesiRay Rider, 32, of Cleveland, charged with possession of heroin.
- Ptia Moss, 27, of Cleveland, charged with possession of heroin, crossing of guard lines with drugs, and possession of drug related objects.
- Jacob Loden, 21, of Cleveland, charged with possession of heroin and possession of drug related objects.
Drugs, cash, property seized
During the course of the investigation Hillsman says law enforcement seized 433 grams of methamphetamine, 4 pounds of marijuana, 89 grams of crack cocaine, 53 grams of powder cocaine, and 90 grams of heroin. Agents also seized three firearms and nearly $50,000 in cash and assets. They recovered two stolen ATVs.
Officers arrested several people wanted for unrelated crimes.
ARDEO and eight other agencies conducted the investigation including the sheriff’s offices in Hall, White, Lumpkin, and Gwinnett counties. Gainesville Police also assisted along with the Department of Community Supervision, the United States Attorney’s Office, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Major Offender’s Task Force.
