Press Release from the Zell Miller Mountain Parkway Drug Task Force:
On June 17th a multitude of agencies descended on Jasper to help put an end to a yearlong investigation into a Methamphetamine Trafficking Organization.By the end of the day close to one-half pound of methamphetamine had been seized. Six individuals were in custody, four charged with Trafficking Methamphetamine and two charged with Possession of Methamphetamine.

Agents for the Zell Miller Mountain Parkway Drug Task Force started receiving information on the organization over a year ago. Through surveillance and intelligence gathering, several distributors and customers were identified. The distributors were identified as Mario Paz Bedarte, who was arrested by Cherokee County in 2012 for trafficking, Pedro Solorio, Francisco Hernandez, Sergio Hernandez, and Crystal Combs.

Agents assigned to DEA Atlanta’s High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area office, Georgia Bureau of Investigation, Cherokee Multi-Agency Narcotics Squad, and the Dawson County Sheriff’s Office came in to assist in an undercover operation. During the over one month operation, close to one pound of methamphetamine was purchased from the four distributors identified.

On the 17th, agents from the aforementioned agencies, along with Pickens County Deputies, Jasper Police, and Dawson County Deputies assisted in the final undercover operation and the execution of three search warrants. Search Warrants were executed at 4030 Camp Road, the residence of Francisco Hernandez, 66 Nickel Lane, the residence of Sergio Hernandez and Crystal Combs, and 1694 Upper Salem Church Road, the residence of Pedro Solorio.

Pedro Solorio, Francisco Hernandez, Sergio Hernandez, and Crystal Combs were all charged with Trafficking Methamphetamine. Kimberly Mobbs and Miguel Angel Ramirez Vera were both charged with Possession of Methamphetamine.

During the investigation the organizations extensive distribution network was uncovered with customers identified from Fannin, Gilmer, Pickens, Cherokee, Dawson, and Forsyth Counties. The street value of the methamphetamine seized is over $20,000. This investigation is ongoing and more arrests are expected.

The drug task force is supported by the Pickens County Sheriff’s Office and the Office of the District Attorney. If you have any information about drug activity in Pickens, Gilmer, or Fannin Counties please call 1-866-920-6384 all calls are anonymous.