Multi-agency drug investigation leaves five jailed, LPD announces
LaGrange police, along with several other agencies, have arrested five people in connection to a months long drug investigation.
The investigation began in July of 2024 when the LaGrange Police Department’s Special Investigations Unit started to receive information on possible drug traffickers within Troup County.
“As part of the preliminary investigation, multiple individuals were identified, and Fentanyl, Methamphetamine, and Marijuana were some of the many drugs being trafficked,” police said. “The arrests in this case are a continuation of the efforts of a combined local and state network whose goal is to dismantle drug trafficking and criminal street gangs throughout the State of Georgia.”
This four-month investigation involved extensive intelligence gathering, undercover investigations, and a collaborative effort amongst the LaGrange Police Department, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, the Troup County Sheriff’s Office, and the Coweta Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office in Troup County.
On October 22, 2024, multiple teams of tactical units from the GBI, LaGrange Police Department, and Troup County Sheriff’s Office executed a total of 7 residence search warrants related to this investigation. As a result of this investigation and these warrants, the following arrests were made:
Rashad Pickett, who is known as Shad, who was arrested on North Greenwood Street, was arrested and charged with possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, possession of a schedule 2, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon
Pickett was currently out on bond for multiple Sale of cocaine arrests stemming back to 2019.
Johnnie Sanders was arrested on N. Kight Street and was charged with trafficking methamphetamine, possession of fentanyl with intent to distribute, and possession of marijuana with intent to distribute.
Jessica Gates was arrested on Barnard Avenue and was charged with trafficking fentanyl.
Gary Bernard Newman, who is known as Nard, was arrested at Park Place and Cameron Pointe Drive and charged with trafficking fentanyl (Tier 3) and conspiracy to traffic fentanyl.
James Edward Thompson III, who is known as JT or JT Money, was arrested on Fenwick Manor Drive and charged with trafficking fentanyl (x2) (Tier 3), trafficking marijuana, trafficking methamphetamine, possession of a schedule 2 with intent to distribute, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
During this operation, the following drugs/items were recovered:
15+ pounds of Marijuana
Approximately 4,000-5,000 Fentanyl pills
Over 30 grams of MDMA pills
14 grams of crack cocaine
8 grams of powder cocaine
Fentanyl powder
Fentanyl “strips”
Oxycodone pills
6 firearms
$50,000+ in US currency
Anyone with information regarding this incident is encouraged to contact the LaGrange Police Department @ 706-883-2603. Information can also be reported anonymously to Troup County Crime Stoppers at 706-812-1000.
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