An ongoing investigation by local authorities into illegal drug activity in the city has led to three men being taken into custody on assorted charges.
The three suspects were identified as Randy Allen Jones, 47, of the 1500 block of Wood Creek Drive, Arthur Lee King, Jr., 28, of the 400 block of Dell Drive and Carl Leon Ivey, 35, of the 600 block of Ellington Avenue, all of Thomson, according to Thomson Police Department Investigator Lt. Scott Whittle.
Mr. Jones was charged with Violation of the Georgia Controlled Substances Act (VGCSA) for misdemeanor possession of marijuana; while Mr. King was arrested on a bench warrant for failure to appear in court; and Mr. Ivey, VGCSA for possession of cocaine, Lt. Whittle said. A fourth person was arrested for an outstanding traffic offense.
The suspects were taken to McDuffie County Law Enforcement Center in Thomson.
Lt. Whittle said a no-knock search warrant was executed at a residence located at 628 Ellington Ave. about 2 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 14. Several other persons at the residence were detained and questioned by law enforcement officers.
The ongoing investigation was spearheaded by Thomson Police Officer Matt Massey, Lt. Whittle said.
"He's (Officer Massey) done a good job in several drug investigations," the veteran investigator said.
In the latest drug case, authorities seized a quantity of marijuana and cocaine.
Several city police officers, along with deputies from the McDuffie and Warren county sheriff's departments assisted in the drug bust. Two drug-sniffing dogs also were used inside the dwelling.
Lt. Whittle said City of Thomson Code Enforcement Officer Mike Dunn also was called to the scene to check for possible code violations.
"That is still ongoing, too, right now," Lt. Whittle said.
