Haralson-Paulding DTF, GBI make arrests in pot seizures

The Haralson-Paulding Drug Task Force and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) announced the arrest of several people and seizure of more than 500 marijuana plants following helicopter overflights of seven different locations.

According to a release sent out on Aug. 18 by the GBI, helicopter overflights were conducted with the help of the Governor’s Task Force between Aug. 2 and Aug. 4 that netted four arrests following further investigation.

The release stated that 529 plants were found and destroyed off J. Wade Road and Twin Creeks Road in Bremen, Felton Rockmart Road, Treat Mountain Road and Philpot Road in the Buchanan area, and Crossroad Church Road and Riddle Spurgen Road in Tallapoosa.

Higher concentrations of marijuana were found in two sites off of Felton Rockmart Road and Treat Mountain Road in Buchanan, accounting for most of what was seized and later burned by police. The site on Treat Mountain Road contained 321 plants, while the Felton Rockmart Road site had 155 plants.

All told, the street value of the marijuana destroyed was $793,500.

Five arrests were made following the Haralson Paulding Drug Task Force and GBI investigations. Those were: Michael Anthony Ray, age 60, Tallapoosa, Denise E. Rogers, age 49, Tallapoosa, Moshe Albirt, age 65, Tallapoosa, Paula Danette Gore, age 48 and Steven Mark Gore, age 47, Tallapoosa.

All five were charged with possession of marijuana and manufacturing marijuana, and were later released on bond.