The six-month investigation was part of an effort by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Southwest Georgia Task Force, and authorities in Colquitt, Lowndes, Thomas, and Brooks counties to eliminate drug and gang activity from the South Georgia streets.
Monday, the group arrested three men suspected of being major drug dealers and seized nearly 20 pounds of powder cocaine. "The estimated street value of the cocaine seized is $400,000 to one million dollars." said FBI Special Agent Donny Green
They also confiscated a dozen guns, including one which is the same model used by the D.C. Sniper.
Although seized in Colquitt County, authorities are sure this illegal merchandise would have been sold across the region, possibly across the state.
"Gang members and drug offenders are not limited to jurisdictions. They cross city limits, county limits and state lines. I feel confident some of the drugs would have ended up in Valdosta and Lowndes County," said Valdosta Police Chief Frank Simons.
The task force was created two years ago to rid South Georgia of drug- and gang-related activity.
Thanks to investigations like these, they are now closer to their goal. "We have had successes, and we believe our problems have been reduced by the work of the gang task force." said Simons.
The names of those arrested are being withheld as the investigation continues and the FBI hopes to have more arrests soon.
Many of the weapons seized were automatics and others were stolen. They also seized multiple vehicles they say were used to transport the cocaine and drug proceeds.
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