What began as a search for a local runaway ended in an unrelated drug bust in Habersham County. While searching for the juvenile on Oct. 30, a sheriff’s deputy encountered two males in a vehicle at 124 Dad’s Lane in Clarkesville. The deputy reported the vehicle had a “strong odor of marijuana” coming from it.
Officials identified the driver as 33-year-old Matthew Elvis Harden of Toccoa.
“Harden informed the deputy that he could search his vehicle but not the storage unit,” says Appalachian Regional Drug Enforcement Office (ARDEO) Special Agent in Charge Trent Hillsman. The sheriff’s office contacted ARDEO. Drug agents arrived at the scene and executed a search warrant on the storage unit. Inside, Hillsman says officers seized approximately two pounds of marijuana, Oxycodone pills, Xanax, THC Wax, THC Cartridges, and two firearms.
The drugs that were seized have an estimated street value of around $12,300.
Agents arrested Harden and charged him with nine drug offenses including possession with intent to distribute, possessing drugs outside of their original container, and firearms charges.
Officers booked Harden in the Habersham County jail. As of November 3, he remained in jail on a $41,600 bond.
Hillsman describes the deputy running into Harden as a “chance encounter” unrelated to the deputy’s search for the missing juvenile. He says the investigation is still active.
