GAINESVILLE - Gainesville and Hall County authorities have arrested and charged three men with drug and weapon-related charges as the result of a drug investigation Friday in Gainesville.
Lt. Scott Ware with the Hall County Sheriff's Department said officials with the Sheriff's Department, the Multi-Agency Narcotics Squad, the Gainesville Police Department and Hall County Animal Control conducted a search warrant at a home on Dean Street. They found just over $3,000 worth of synthetic marijuana as well as money and three guns at the residence. 23-year-old Isiaha Keishad Thornton, 21-year-old Tayon Marquett Harris and 20-year-old Justin Lamar Nicholas Cantrell were all arrested at the scene and taken to the Hall County Jail.
Ware said authorities found the three men in the backyard of the residence. When authorities arrived Cantrell threw the synthetic marijuana and money, which was being held in a container, into a trash can that was containing a fire. Officials recovered the items, as well as a .38-caliber revolver, a 9 mm semi-automatic pistol and a .22-caliber "Uzi" style assault rifle. All three weapons were loaded and were confiscated.
All three men face charges of possession of marijuana with intent to distribute and Cantrell also faces charges of possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime and tampering with evidence.