ATHENS, Ga. — Athens police arrested three men and seized 15 firearms, including six machine guns, during a coordinated drug and gang investigation Aug. 5.
Police said the operation resulted in the recovery of more than 11 pounds of marijuana and more than $5,000 in U.S. currency.
The investigation was conducted by the Athens-Clarke County Police Department Gang Unit and the Northeast Georgia Regional Drug Task Force. The seizures occurred during a traffic stop and a subsequent search of a home in the 200 block of Sidney Lanier Avenue.
The investigation began Aug. 5 when the ACCPD Gang Unit conducted a traffic stop. During the stop, officers seized approximately a quarter pound of marijuana, a Glock 27 and $968 in U.S. currency.
Police arrested Siderious Heard, 25, of Athens, following the stop. He is charged with possession of marijuana with intent to distribute and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony.
Detectives with the gang unit and the Northeast Georgia Regional Drug Task Force later executed a search warrant in the 200 block of Sidney Lanier Avenue. The search resulted in the seizure of 14 firearms, including six modified with machine gun conversion devices. Investigators also recovered approximately 10.5 pounds of marijuana and $4,712 in cash.
Joshua Campbell, 23 and Fredrick Heard, 24, both of Athens, were arrested after the search. Both men face charges of trafficking marijuana, multiple counts of possession of a machine gun and multiple counts of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and during the commission of a felony.
Authorities ask anyone with information related to illegal drug activity to call the ACCPD Drug Tip Line at (706) 613-3297.
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