Major Drug Operation in Toccoa-Stephens County Nets 20 Arrests

Law enforcement in Toccoa-Stephens County is warning drug traffickers and drug dealers to stay out of their jurisdiction or risk being arrested.

On Wednesday, multiple law enforcement agencies joined forces in what Sheriff Rusty Fulbright called Operation Stephens County to search and break up a major drug trafficking operation.

In that operation, Sheriff’s deputies and investigators were joined by Toccoa Police, Cornelia Police, Habersham County Sheriff’s Office, the Georgia State Patrol, ARDEO, and the Georgia Counterdrug Task Force to arrest 20 people.

Fulbright said those 20 were part of a multi-county drug trafficking operation headed up by 48-year-old Manathan Colbert of Toccoa, who was also arrested.

Fulbright noted that his priority as Sheriff was to tackle the growing drug trafficking and gang problem in the County.

Toccoa Police Chief Bruce Carlisle also targeted drug activity in the City and said he was happy to team up with Fulbright to combat the issue when he took office last December.

Chief Carlisle said Wednesday that the drug operation should serve as a warning to illegal drug dealers wanting to do business in Toccoa-Stephens County.

During the operation Wednesday, authorities seized large quantities of cocaine, crack cocaine, pills, marijuana, weapons, and cash throughout Stephens, Habersham, and Rabun counties.

Fulbright said Colber has been charged with three counts of Violation of Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, Trafficking Cocaine, Illegal Use of Communication Facility, eight counts of Violation of the Georgia Street Gang and Terrorism Prevention Act, Sale of Schedule II Controlled Substance, Possession of Marijuana with Intent to Distribute, three counts of Sale of Cocaine, and Sale of Marijuana.

He added that the investigation is ongoing and more arrests are forthcoming.