Three people are in Hall County Jail without bond after thousands of dollars in illegal drugs were found in a Gainesville residence according to law enforcement.
Riley Lena Smith, 22; Dennis Mclearn, 30 and Jayden Richey, 23 were arrested Tuesday, Jan. 17 by the Hall County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) Special Investigations Unit (SIU) and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Task Force after finding a large amount of drugs while executing a search warrant at an apartment unit located in the 200 block of Foothills Parkway.
Local and federal authorities seized more than 10 pounds of high-grade marijuana, over 160 fluid ounces of THC oil, two firearms, a small quantity of amphetamine pills and $61,000 cash. Investigators estimated the combined street value of the drugs is $85,000.
Smith, of Buford, and Mclearn and Richey, both of Gainesville, each face felony charges for trafficking marijuana, possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, possession of marijuana, trafficking THC oil, possession of THC oil with intent to distribute, possession of amphetamine and possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime.
If convicted the trio could be facing a lengthy prison sentence and hefty fines.
Possession of marijuana, despite being decriminalized in many states, can have serious consequences under Georgia law.
According to O.C.G.A. § 16-13-25 of the Georgia Controlled Substances Act, THC oil is considered a Schedule I controlled substance which are those that are considered to be the most dangerous, highly addictive and having no medicinal value. In Georgia, this includes marijuana alongside Ecstasy, Heroin, LSD and Morphine.
The penalty for trafficking marijuana in Georgia in an amount greater than 10 pounds has a mandatory minimum five-year prison sentence and a fine of $100,000.00. O.C.G.A. § 16-13-31(c)
The case remains under investigation by the sheriff’s office and HSI.
FEATURED PHOTO: Local and federal authorities seized more than 10 pounds of high-grade marijuana, over 160 fluid ounces of THC oil, two firearms, a small quantity of amphetamine pills and $61,000 cash from a residence in the 200 block of Foothills Parkway in Gainesville on Jan. 17, 2023. Photo courtesy of Hall County Sheriff’s Office.
