Four suspects are in jail following a routine traffic stop that turned into a drug bust in Clarkesville. Clarkesville Police Chief Brad Barrett says one of his officers stopped a vehicle for a tag violation around noon Sunday and discovered a large assortment of drugs inside the vehicle.
Agents with the North Georgia Regional Drug Enforcement Office were called in to assist. Special Agent in Charge Mitchell Posey says officers seized $5,000 worth of methamphetamine, cocaine, marijuana, hydrocodone, Xanax, morphine, and diazepam.
The suspects are identified as 59-year old Keith Fortenberry, 53-year old Larry Wood and 32-year old Billy Burton, all of Cleveland. 33-year old Michelle Scott of Toccoa was also arrested.
All four are charged with possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, possession of marijuana, possession of morphine with intent to distribute, possession of Xanax, possession of hydrocodone, and possession of diazepam. They’re being held in the Habersham County jail.
Barrett says, while drug busts are not uncommon in Clarkesville, this one was unusually large. “It’s not an every day occurrence but we do see a good bit of narcotics-related stuff.” He says he’s pleased with how his officer handled the situation. “He did a very good job. It’s a large amount of narcotics for a traffic stop.”
The regional drug task force is now handling the case. Posey says the investigation continues.
The North Georgia Drug Task Force is a multi-agency unit that consists of the following Sheriff’s Offices: White County, Lumpkin County, Towns County, Banks County, Habersham County, Stephens County, Rabun County, along with the Department of Public Safety, and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.
