Three Charged in Drug Bust Near Franklin Springs

By MJ Kneiser, WLHR Radio, Lavonia

Three people are in the Franklin County Detention Center after a large drug bust at a home near Franklin Springs.

According to Franklin County Sheriff Stevie Thomas, it happened last Friday when neighbors called to report drug activity at a house on U.S. Highway 29.

Thomas said deputies and agents with the North Georgia Drug Task Force were given permission to search the house by the homeowner, identified as 30-year old Donald B. Lunsford of Royston.

As agents searched the area, Thomas said they found a large quantity of drugs and drug paraphernalia he says were used for the manufacture and sale of methamphetamine.

“Agents began to search the property and located methamphetamine, marijuana, digital scales used to weigh narcotics for sale, weights to test the accuracy of the scales, sandwich bags used for distribution, glass methamphetamine pipe. The narcotics and drug-related objects were discovered in a container in a trash can in a building behind the residence,” Thomas said.

Thomas said agents also found a quantity of plastic bags used for the packaging of narcotics for sale in another trash can in an outbuilding.

He went on to say Lunsford denied knowing anything about the meth, the marijuana or any of the drug paraphernalia agents found in his outbuildings.

“A K-9 deputy from the Franklin County Sheriff’s office was called to help search the property,” Thomas said.. “Upon arrival, Lunsford gave consent for agents to search his phone. Evidence of narcotics sales were discovered by agents on his phone.”

Thomas said Lunsford was arrested and faces multiple charges.

“Donald Lunsford, 30, was charged with possession of methamphetamine, possession of marijuana less than an ounce,” Thomas said. “A search of his person after his arrest by agents revealed a metal cylinder containing meth, which he had dyed blue in color.”

Meanwhile, two more people were arrested at the house later Friday night, according to Thomas.

He said agents and deputies conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle that was seen leaving the home.

“Both a male and female provided false names and dates of birth to the officers,” he said. “The driver gave consent to search the vehicle. A syringe needle used to inject drugs was located inside a purse. After further investigation, the driver identified himself of Lonnie Gray, 20 of Canon and Ashley Wright, 31 of Royston.”

All three remain in the Franklin County Detention Center.