Forty-eight people have been arrested and will be charged in connection with a major drug trafficking organization that was operating in North Georgia, according to the GBI.
The suspects were arrested as part of “Operation Taking Care of Business,” a nearly year-long joint investigation by the GBI, FBI, Appalachian Regional Drug Enforcement Office (ARDEO), and local police.
“This investigation has centered around a major methamphetamine and heroin trafficking distribution ring operating here in the Northeast Georgia area and reaching into the metropolitan Atlanta area, as well,” said GBI Director Vic Reynolds during a news conference in Gainesville Friday announcing the arrests. “As of this morning, although we’re still out on the street conducting parts of the investigation, as of this morning we have seized 50 kilos of methamphetamine, about a half kilo of heroin, 20 weapons, cash, and vehicles.”
The suspects, ten of whom already were in custody, are charged with violating the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organization (RICO) Act and will be charged on numerous drug and weapons offenses, according to officials.
Investigation and arrests
The investigation began last August into the alleged drug trafficking organization of Luther Troy Summerfield, age 43, Alejandro Ceja-Solano, age 40, and others.
During the course of the investigation, agents in coordination with local deputies from the sheriff’s offices in Habersham, Banks, White, Lumpkin, Stephens, Franklin, Gilmer, and Hall counties, along with the Cleveland Police Department, learned that Summerfield purchased and distributed kilograms of methamphetamine from Ceja-Solano.
Information obtained during the investigation revealed that Summerfield traveled to Ceja-Solano’s residence to obtain drugs and traveled to the metro Atlanta area to obtain heroin and methamphetamine, either facilitated by Ceja-Solano, or another source of supply, the GBI says.
The following individuals were arrested:
Tanya Lynn Allison, age 48, of Alto
Katlynn Marie Beaucaire of Gillsville
Richard Daniel Burkett of Buford
Dulcey Burton, age 51, of Cleveland
Alejandro Ceja-Solano of Mount Airy
Jose Alfredo Miranda Chavez (already in custody)
Jessica Marie Clark, age 28, of Commerce
Noah Coker (in prison)
Mark Coker of Gainesville
Joshua Collins of Cornelia (already in custody)
Kevin Cosper of Baldwin
Robyn Samantha Dost, age 27, of Maysville
Chelsea Brooke Seitz (AKA) Chelsea Dover, age 30, of Cleveland
Shelbi Eanes, age 25, of Commerce
Juan Antonio Flores (custody in Gwinnett County)
Brandi Nicole Freeman of Cornelia
Jory Gee, age 33, of Gillsville
Roger Dale Gerrin, age 62, Alto
Robert Green (already in custody in Lumpkin)
Dexter Grier, age 40, of Lula
Nucoma Grindle, age 42, of Lula
Dustin Floyd Groves of Alto
Terry Harris of Gainesville
Christy Deresia Hedden of Gillsville
Jerry Lee Helton of Baldwin
Crystal Marie Herrin of Cornelia
Brooke Barron Hicks of Alto
Christopher Jackson, age 33, of Commerce
Kimberly Ann Kennedy of Winder
Richard Jason Maddox of Mount Airy
Marinela Romeiro Marquez of Athens
Pablo Martinez (already in custody)
Shayna Millwood of Alto
Allie Murray of Cornelia
William Harrison Nicely of Alto
Ashley Parker (already in custody)
Joshua Ray Phillips (already in custody)
Kirstie Sheree Berkovich (AKA) Kirstie Purvis of Cleveland
Brianne Ross Rummell (already in custody)
Michael Rummel of Gillsville
Coty Anthony Sanders of Maysville
Jeffrey Shane Seabolt
Erin Sexton of Toccoa
Jessie Elaine Smith of Alto
Seantal Tiffany Smith of Peachtree Corners
Luther Troy Summerfield of Alto
Delores Thomas of Lula
Anthony Williams (already in custody)
During the investigation, officers executed approximately twelve search warrants and seized approximately $705,000 worth of drugs and $70,000 in cash in addition to the weapons and six vehicles.
Interagency cooperation
The Alto Police Department also assisted with the investigation which the GBI calls an example of the value of interagency cooperation.
Pointing to the group of law enforcement officials standing behind him during the press conference – a group that included Habersham County Sheriff Joey Terrell, White County Sheriff Neal Walden, Stephens County Sheriff Randy Shirley, and Hall County Sheriff Gerald Couch – Reynolds said: “This is a great example of how this is supposed to work. When you have this type of interagency cooperation at a federal level, at a state level, at a local level and you work in conjunction with your prosecution partners, that’s the way law enforcement’s supposed to work.”
The GBI says the investigation continues and additional arrests are expected.
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