A yearlong drug trafficking investigation led to the arrests of nine people Wednesday and the seizure of $35,000 worth of narcotics, authorities said.
The arrests were made across several North Georgia counties by local, state and federal law enforcement agencies, the GBI’s Appalachian Regional Drug Enforcement Office said in a news release.
Over the course of the investigation, authorities seized 433 grams of methamphetamine, 90 grams of heroin, 89 grams of crack cocaine, 53 grams of powder cocaine and 4 pounds of marijuana, according to the release. Police also recovered three guns, $19,000 in cash and assets valued at more than $20,000, including two stolen ATVs.
The primary suspect in the investigation was 43-year-old Bernard Jermaine House of Buford, authorities said. He was arrested on one count of conspiracy to distribute heroin and five counts of distribution of heroin, though additional charges are pending.
Eight others were taken into custody after searches were conducted at four homes associated with House’s alleged drug trafficking operation, investigators said.
Christian Wright, 30, of Gainesville, was charged with two counts of trafficking heroin, distribution of heroin, trafficking cocaine, trafficking methamphetamine and marijuana possession, authorities said in the release. In addition, 47-year-old Bobby Joe Holloman of Gainesville was charged with two counts of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession of heroin and possession of cocaine.
Two Banks County residents — 44-year-old Jason Brannon and 38-year-old Tiffany Kinney — are charged with possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute.
Additional arrests included Cleveland residents Brendan Hand, 31, and DesiRay Rider, 32, both of whom are charged with heroin possession, according to the drug task force. Ptia Moss, 27, and Jacob Loden, 21 were each charged with heroin possession and the possession of drug-related objects, and Moss faces an additional count of crossing guard lines with drugs, authorities said.
Several others wanted on unrelated crimes were also taken into custody during the drug trafficking operation.
AJC.com has reached out to investigators for more information about the case.
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