$100K in cocaine, marijuana seized

GAINESVILLE - Three arrests and $100,000 worth of drugs - the net result of a monthlong undercover investigation in Hall County.

"A monthlong drug investigation concluded with the arrest of three individuals and the seizure of over $100,000.00 worth of cocaine and marijuana," according to Lt. Scott Ware, who oversees the the Hall County Multi-Agency Narcotics Squad (MANS) and the Gainesville-Hall County Gang Task Force

Lt. Ware said the local officers, assisted by federal immigration agents and the FBI, arrested Jose Luis Arias, Carlos Medina, and Leonardo Gonzalez-Ramirez, as the trio delivered over one pound of cocaine to a location in the 3400 block of Winder Highway Friday night. "When agents moved in Leonardo Gonzalez Ramirez attempted to escape by fleeing on foot but he was quickly apprehended," Lt. Ware added.

"Agents conducted a search of Carlos Medina's home, following his arrest and located an additional amount of cocaine, over one pound, along with digital scales, which he had used to weigh the drugs," Ware said. "The cumulative total of the cocaine was over two pounds and had an estimated street value of approximately $103,000."

He says officers also obtained additional arrest warrants for Carlos Medina and Leonardo Gonzalez-Ramirez for sale of marijuana from an earlier date, which was a part of the same investigation. "The pair sold Agents approximately one-half pound of marijuana, which had an estimated street value of approximately $1,000."

Ware says immigration officials placed a hold on all three because they are illegal immigrants.