A former Habersham County businessman is back in jail on drug charges. Gregory Ray Martin, 54, of Mayesville is accused of trafficking heroin.
Agents with the Appalachian Regional Drug Enforcement Office (ARDEO) arrested Martin on Monday, July 20, while investigating unrelated criminal activity tied to a major North Georgia drug ring, officials say.
Martin was arrested after ARDEO agents and Habersham County Sheriff’s deputies executed a search warrant at the Baymont Inn and Suites in Cornelia. During their search, they discovered approximately 20 grams of heroin with a street value of about $2,500.
Martin is the former owner of Martin Recreation which operated in Cornelia. In addition to the trafficking charge, he is charged with possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute.
This isn’t Martin’s first brush with the law. In September 2013, he was charged with multiple drug offenses after law enforcement searched his then home in Clarkesville.
Following his arrest Monday, Martin was booked into the Habersham County jail.
Connecting the dots
Martin is not charged in connection with Operation Taking Care of Business but his arrest is an offshoot of that investigation, according to officials. “It was really good police work that led to him,” says ARDEO Special Agent in Charge Trent Hillsman.
Taking Care of Business has so far resulted in at least 48 arrests in North Georgia, including sixteen in Habersham County. The joint federal, state and local law enforcement investigation continues.
“We’re still working it and will probably still be working this three to four months from now,” says Hillsman. “Obviously people know that we’re looking at them now. We will continue to connect the dots and further dismantle this drug operation.”
This article has been updated with additional information
