A suspected heroin dealer from Hall County is behind bars. Officials say 20-year-old Jacob Christian Loden of Gainesville was arrested Thursday, March 19, during a traffic stop by the Georgia State Patrol. He had been under investigation for months.
During the traffic stop, officers found approximately three grams of heroin, a digital scale, and a firearm, according to Appalachian Regional Drug Enforcement Office (ARDEO) Special Agent in Charge Trent Hillsman. The confiscated heroin has a street value of approximately $300.
Loden was arrested and charged with possession of heroin with the intent to distribute and the possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony. Three others were also arrested along with him.
Andrew Trenton Delvalle, 24 of Gainesville, was charged with possession of heroin, distribution of heroin, and crossing guard lines with heroin. 21-year-old Andrew Michael Kennedy of Clermont was charged with possession of heroin and crossing guard lines with heroin. And 28-year-old Justin Travis Partin of Cleveland was charged with possession of heroin and abandoning dangerous drugs.
Hillsman says more charges may be filed.
The investigation was a joint effort by ARDEO, the GBI, and Hall County Multi-Agency Narcotics Squad (MANS).
ARDEO encourages citizens to report suspicious drug activity through direct message on their Facebook page or at 706-348-7410. You may also contact your local Sheriff’s Office or Police Department.
The Appalachian Regional Drug Enforcement Office is a multi-agency unit that consists of the following Sheriff’s Offices: White County, Lumpkin County, Towns County, Banks County, Jackson County, Habersham County, Stephens County, Rabun County, Gilmer County, Fannin County, and Franklin County, along with the Cleveland Police Department, Lavonia Police Department, the Toccoa Police Department, the Georgia National Guard Counter Drug Task Force, the Department of Public Safety, and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.
