Gwinnett police arrest 8 in drug bust

LAWRENCEVILLE - Investigators with the Gwinnett County Police Narcotics unit Tuesday announced the successful conclusion of a long term narcotics operation.

The investigation, which began several months ago, was a joint effort between the Gwinnett County Police Department and the Gwinnett County District Attorney's office. The operation ended on Friday, October 23rd, 2009 when search warrants were executed at a Mexican grocery store located at 199 east Crogan Street in Lawrenceville, a home located at 2203 Stanley Road in Dacula and a home located at 368 Brandy Court in Lawrenceville.

Authorities said at the press conference that the investigation was prompted by a tip from someone in the community.

Over the course of the investigation, investigators seized the following:

~$136,132.00 in U.S. currency
~7 pounds of cocaine valued at $769,100.00
~1,561 grams of Methamphetamine valued at $156,100.00
~987 grams of Marijuana valued at $9,870.00
~6 weapons
~4 vehicles

Arrested in the operation were:

48 year-old, Maria Martinez of Dacula. She has been charged with:
2 felony counts of Trafficking Cocaine/Marijuana
1 felony count of Possession of Marijuana with the intent to distribute
1 misdemeanor count of Possession of a weapon during the commission of a crime


24 year-old, Miguel Lopez of Dacula. He has been charged with:
2 felony counts of Trafficking Cocaine/Marijuana
1 felony count of Possession of Marijuana with the intent to distribute
1 misdemeanor count of Possession of a weapon during the commission of a crime
1 felony count of Conspiracy to commit a crime

29 year-old, Dustin Lancaster of Atlanta. He has been charged with:
1 felony count of Trafficking Methamphetamine

29 year-old, Pedro Pineda of Lawrenceville. He has been charged with:
2 felony counts of Trafficking Cocaine/Marijuana
1 felony count of Conspiracy to commit a crime

24 year-old, Elizar Escobedo of Lawrenceville. He has been charged with:
1 felony count of Trafficking cocaine/Marijuana

37 year-old, Enrique Jaime-Jaime of Dacula. He has been charged withâ