A federal fugitive task force, along with assistance from local authorities, raided a residence where two persons were taken into custody on drug charges in Thomson last Thursday morning.
Several other arrests also were made by the federal fugitive task force throughout the Central Savannah River Area.
Investigator Kendall Brown of the Richmond County Sheriff's Department, who assisted U.S. Marshal's on the raid, identified the suspects as Mario A. Wright, 24 and Cassandra Dent, 20, both of Manassas Drive, Thomson.
Mr. Wright and Ms. Dent each were charged with Violation of the Georgia Controlled Substances Act for possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime and possession of drugs with intent to distribute within 1,000 feet of a school, Investigator Brown said at the scene.
The suspects, who were arrested without incident, were discovered at the residence of Mr. Wright's mother on the 800 block of Pine Lane Drive, Thomson, shortly after 10 a.m., according to Thomson Police Chief Joseph D. Nelson.
Authorities earlier had gone to a residence on Manassas Drive, but did not find the suspects there.
Authorities later learned that the suspects were visiting a residence nearby.
Authorities quickly converged on that residence where they found both suspects. Mr. Wright and Ms. Dent immediately were taken into custody.
They were informed of the charges against them and then taken to a waiting patrol car. They were transported to the Richmond County Law Enforcement Center in Augusta.
Assisting the U.S. Marshal's Service were investigators and deputies with the Richmond County Sheriff's Department Crime Suppression Team. Locally, they received assistance from the Thomson Police Department along with the McDuffie County Sheriff's Department.
