Two Waycross men were arrested last week on drug-related charges and approximately 30 pounds of marijuana seized as the result of a Ware County Sheriff’s Office-led investigation into a suspected drug distribution operation.
Henry Lee Gibson, 40, of the 2900 block of Quail Run, was charged with felony counts of Trafficking Marijuana and Possession of Marijuana with Intent to Distribute, WCSO Major Neil Skerratt said.
Also arrested was Maurice Gibson, 42, of the 700 block of Beville Street. He was charged with Trafficking Marijuana. Both remain in the Ware County Jail after having bond denied in an appearance before a magistrate.
In addition to the marijuana, three firearms were also confiscated in the action Wednesday, August 6, authorities said.
WSCO personnel, along with those from the Waycross Police Department and other local law enforcement agencies, were involved in the investigation and arrests. Henry Lee Gibson was charged on warrants from WCSO, while Maurice Gibson was charged by WPD, added Skerratt.
“The Ware County Sheriff’s Office Drug Enforcement Unit's proactive measures taken with this case have led to about 30 pounds of marijuana seized,” Ware County Sheriff Carl James said. “The actions of the drug enforcement unit, general crime detectives, my deputies and the other agencies that helped bring this case to a successful conclusion is greatly appreciated. I also greatly thank the Waycross Police Department for their contribution to making these arrests. “The D.N.R. (Department of Natural Resources) Rangers, G.D.C. (Georgia Department of Corrections) K-9 officers, and every other law enforcement officer who helped has my thanks for getting literally pounds of marijuana off the streets of our community. Many thanks to this fine team of law enforcement officers, who came together to get the job done.”
The investigation revealed a largescale marijuana trafficking operation that was being conducted within Ware County and Waycross, authorities said.
Det. Sgt. James Cox (Sheriff’s Office lead detective on the case), Det. Savannah Leslie, Det. Blake Lewis, Det. Dakota York, Det. Antony Phillips, Det. Kyle Strickland, and Ware County Patrol Deputies — with assistance from WPD (led by Det. Lt. Joshua Prall), Georgia Department of Corrections K-9 Officers (led by Officer Kody Holcomb), and Department of Natural Resources Rangers (led by Cpl. K.P. Boatright) assisted in making the arrests and the service of a total of seven search warrants (in both Ware County and the city of Waycross’ jurisdictions).
Sheriff James said the investigation is active and ongoing and additional arrests are anticipated.
