Agents with the Appalachian Drug Task Force, in cooperation with local authorities, arrested six people within five days.<br>
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Assistant Special Agent in Charge for the task force Mike Rundles said the agency has been busy. <br>
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"We have been receiving a lot of information, and we have been following up on leads that have led us to where we are today," said Rundles.<br>
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In Dawson County, sheriff's authorities, task force agents and Georgia Bureau of Investigation agents arrested three people and seized about seven pounds of suspected marijuana and about four grams of suspected methamphetamine. <br>
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Acting on information, agents searched a Dawsonville motel room Friday night. <br>
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Authorities arrested 25 year old Thomas Smallwood of Dahlonega, 29 year old Rutilo Santana of Atlanta and 27 year old Mark Neisler of Cumming. <br>
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All three were charged with possession of marijuana with intent to distribute. Smallwood is also charged with possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony. <br>
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Agents expected more arrests in the case that netted drugs worth an estimated $9000 on the street.<br>
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Also last Friday, task force agents along with the White County Sheriff's Office arrested two Cleveland residents on charges related to both cocaine and marijuana. <br>
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Those suspects were identified as 17 year old Michaela Sims and 22 year old Holly Clark. Sims is charged with possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, possession of cocaine and possession of marijuana. Clark is charged with possession of cocaine. <br>
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Authorities stopped the vehicle Sims and Clark were in and asked for consent to search after officers smelled marijuana. They found about 29 rocks of crack cocaine and a small amount of marijuana. The estimated street value was $850.<br>
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In a third case, the task force and Georgia Bureau of Investigation arrested 26 year old Sean Flanagan of Cumming in Dawson County. Agents seized about two pounds of marijuana worth an estimated $2400. <br>
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Flanangan allegedly tried to sell the marijuana to an undercover agent. He was charged with possession of the drug with intent to distribute following his arrest last Tuesday. <br>
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Authorities also expect more arrests in that case. Rundles said it could be connected to the case involving the three arrests last Friday in Dawson County.
