Three arrested in multi-agency drug bust

By Jessica Waters, WNEG Radio

Three people are facing drug charges in Stephens County after a four-month-long multi-agency investigation uncovered a cache of drugs, weapons, and cash at a home on Shire Drive.

On March 31, deputies conducted a traffic stop on a red Ford Focus after observing a brake light violation.

According to the report, during the traffic stop, deputies noticed a very strong odor of marijuana emanating inside the vehicle, as well as a handgun lying in the cup holder.

The occupants of the vehicle were instructed to exit the vehicle where they were searched prior to being detained.

The driver of the vehicle, Justin Holland, was found to have a small baggie of marijuana, a small container with three baggies of suspected crack cocaine, and one bag of suspected powdered cocaine in his hoodie pocket.

During the pat down of the front passenger, Alexander Brown, deputies located two rolls of cash tucked into his pants in the amount of $1,070.

Deputies also learned Brown had an outstanding warrant out of Fulton County.

A GCIC check of the rear passenger, Jaquion Turner, revealed he had a warrant out of Hall County.

The Stephens County Sheriff’s Office in conjunction with the North Georgia Major Offenders Task Force, the Appalachian Regional Drug Enforcement Office, and the Toccoa Police Department conducted a search warrant at the home of two of the three suspects, Jaquion Turner and Justin Holland at 18 Shire Drive.

During the execution of the search warrant, investigators recovered more than one and a half pounds of marijuana that was pre-packaged into three separate baggies, 23 grams of crack cocaine, four grams of ecstasy, two grams of powdered cocaine, a Taurus G2C Handgun, a Glock 43 Handgun, and $7,994 in cash.

Turner, 26 of Toccoa, was arrested for Possession of Marijuana with Intent to Distribute, Possession of Marijuana, and two counts of Possession of Firearm during the commission of certain felonies.

Turner remains in jail on a $25,000 bond.

Alexander Brown, 39 of Toccoa, was arrested for Possession of Marijuana with Intent to Distribute, three counts of Possession of Cocaine with Intent to Distribute, Possession of a Schedule I Controlled Substance, two counts of Possession of a Firearm during commission of certain felonies.

Brown remains in jail on a bond for $110,000.

Justin Holland, 33 of Toccoa, was arrested for two counts of Possession of Cocaine with Intent to Distribute and Brake Light Violation.

Holland remains in jail on a $50,000 bond.

Shirley thanked the collaborative efforts between state and local law enforcement for their assistance and said such collaboration is key when taking down major offenders, as well as pursuing drug and gang issues in Stephens County.