SCSO, ARDEO Make Drug Arrest

A Stephens County man is in custody facing a drug charge after authorities served a search warrant last week.

Stephens County Sheriff Randy Shirley said that his office and the Appalachian Regional Drug Enforcement Office served a search warrant on the 200 block of North Avenue in Toccoa last Thursday at the residence of 44-year-old Bryan Hicks of Toccoa.

Shirley said that the search warrant concluded a six-month undercover drug investigation regarding the residence.

“The investigation was into the distribution of illegal narcotics,” said Shirley. “In addition to the distribution of illegal narcotics, we recovered a half pound of marijuana re-packaged for distribution that was buried in the woods behind his residence.”

The sheriff said the street value of the illegal narcotics is about $2,400.

According to authorities, Hicks was arrested and charged with Possession of Marijuana with the Intent to Distribute.

Shirley said that Hicks remains in custody at the Stephens County Detention Center.

“His first appearance hearing was held and bond was set at $10,000,” said Shirley. “However, he is on parole. Parole has put a hold on him so he is still in the Stephens County Jail.”

The sheriff went on to say that the investigation into Hicks is ongoing by local and regional authorities.