Law enforcement disrupts major marijuana distribution ring operating in three counties

CLEVELAND, Ga. – Agents with the Appalachian Regional Drug Enforcement Office (ARDEO) and multiple local law enforcement agencies including White County and the Cleveland Police Department disrupted a large marijuana distribution organization operating in White, Habersham and Gwinnett counties last week.

White County authorities learned about the organization through tips from the local community. On Feb. 2, search warrants were executed at Steven Pruitt’s residence at 110 Rolling Ridge Drive in Cleveland where eight pounds of marijuana, 200 grams of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) wax and numerous firearms were confiscated.

ARDEO Agents and Norcross Police also executed a search warrant at Evan Johnstone and William Blake Moore’s townhome in Norcross where they found 14 pounds of marijuana, 200 grams of THC wax, 104 .500 mL THC Vape Cartridges, and $42,169 in cash.

Johnstone and Ryan Crispin were arrested with cash and drugs in their possession during traffic stops in White County. An investigation indicated Crispin was coming to White County to purchase marijuana from Pruitt and that Johnstone and Moore supplied Pruitt with marijuana and the THC wax.

Overall, the operation yielded $56,253 in cash and took $546,000 of illegal narcotics off the streets.

Agents believe a large quantity of the marijuana was smuggled into Georgia from states that have legalized marijuana. It also appears Johnstone and Moore were producing their own THC wax, a highly potent THC-concentrated mass that contains extraordinarily high THC levels.

Pruitt, 33, Crispin, 20, and Johnstone, 25, were charged under Georgia’s Racketeer Influenced Corrupt Organization (RICO) statute and transported to the White County Detention Center. A RICO warrant has been issued for Moore, but he has not yet been arrested.

Anyone with information about Moore or who would like to report suspicious drug activity can do so via instant message or by calling 706-348-7410.

 

 

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