They tried to run and hide the evidence, but two men accused of trafficking drugs were arrested by Cherokee County deputies, the Sheriff’s Office said Tuesday. Two deputies were treated for minor injuries, including a broken hand and a dog bite, while making the arrests.
It began when a deputy stopped a pickup truck Monday night on Lower Burris Road near Clayton Food Store, Lt. Jay Baker said. While talking with the passenger, the deputy spotted marijuana paraphernalia, Baker said.
The deputy attempted to handcuff the passenger, Michael Hulsey, 44, of Canton, but Hulsey ran, Baker said. After hitting one deputy in the face, Hulsey ran into nearby woods. While trying to arrest Hulsey, one deputy was bitten by a dog that was in the truck, Baker said.
The driver of the truck, Chris Burger, 58, of Rydel, gave deputies permission to search the truck, where they found approximately 2 ounces of marijuana, methamphetamine pipes, a handgun and a rifle, Baker said.
Both Hulsey and Burger were arrested at the scene, according to police.
While reviewing dash camera video of the traffic stop, deputies saw that Burger had attempted to hide items from the truck while Hulsey was fighting arrest, Baker said.
“The video shows Burger walk out of camera view holding the items and then return immediately with nothing in his hands,” Baker said in an emailed statement. “Deputies returned to the scene of the traffic stop and located the items on the opposite side of the road.”
Those items included approximately 3 ounces of methamphetamine, 2.4 grams of heroin and empty jeweler’s bags often used to distribute narcotics, Baker said.
Hulsey was charged with trafficking methamphetamine, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession of heroin, two counts of felony obstruction of an officer, simple battery on a law enforcement officer, battery and two counts of interference with government property, according to police.
Burger was charged with trafficking methamphetamine, possession of heroin, possession of methamphetamine, two counts of possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony and tampering with evidence.
Both were being held without bond Tuesday in the Cherokee County jail.
Two deputies, whose names were not released, were treated and released from Northside Cherokee Hospital, Baker said.
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