SCSO Announces Drug Arrests

The Stephens County Sheriff’s Office is announcing recent drug arrests.

Stephens County Sheriff Randy Shirley said the arrests came as a joint effort with the Appalachian Regional Drug Enforcement Office and the Stephens County Sheriff’s Office.

Shirley said that recently, the Sheriff’s Office conducted a traffic stop where one person was arrested on drug charges.

“They could smell a strong odor of marijuana emanating from inside the car,” said Shirley. “Our drug K-9, Kilo, did a walk-around of the automobile and gave a signal that there was contraband inside the vehicle. A search of the vehicle revealed one pound of marijuana, digital scales, and all the other things drug dealers use, plastic bags to bag it with.”

The driver, 25-year-old Vontravious Newman of Skyview Lane in Toccoa, was arrested and charged with Possession of Marijuana with Intent to Distribute.

According to the sheriff, the second arrest came last week.

Shirley said that his office and the Appalachian Regional Drug Enforcement Office wrapped up a two-month long investigation on June 11.

The sheriff said the investigation stemmed from complaints of suspected drug activity in the Shorewood community.

“We contacted our drug agent with the Appalachian Regional Drug Task Force and they set up surveillance over a period of time,” said Shirley. “As a result of information they were able to gain, a search warrant was issued and a search was done by our drug K-9, Kilo, who was able to recover marijuana from the residence.”

Shirley said that 59-year-old Philip Wayne Curbow of Toccoa was arrested for Possession of Marijuana.

The sheriff went on to say that he encourages anyone seeing suspicious activity to call and report it.

He said the drug tip line number is 706-886-7048 or people can call 911.