ARDEO busts multi-million dollar drug-ring

Local, State and Federal Law Enforcement Officers recently dismantled a multi-million dollar drug-ring that ARDEO agents believe Rabun County had some part in.

Multiple law enforcement officials worked together over the span of a five-month investigation to take down what authorities are calling the “Fricks’ Drug Trafficking Organization” which was responsible for the distribution of more than 100 kilograms of methamphetamine with a street value of $3.5 million.

“The ARDEO executed 10 search warrants and 14 arrest warrants for members and suppliers of Larry “Lil Man” Fricks’ drug organization. The Appalachian Regional Drug Enforcement Office (ARDEO), along with the cooperation of the Piedmont Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s office and the FBI’s North Georgia Major Offender Task Force, used all available investigative techniques at its disposal to bring down a complex drug trafficking network operating in North Georgia,” said Special Agent in Charge Mitchell Posey. “Multiple criminal charges will be brought against these persons under the Racketeer Influenced Corrupt Organization (RICO) statute. Fricks and his organization have been active in North Georgia for many years.”

According to Posey, over $150,000 in methamphetamine was recovered when authorities executed the search warrants. Though, often times, he said that amount is often higher if you consider the totality of the operation.

“A contingency of local, state and federal law enforcement officers executed 10 search warrants and seized approximately 9 pound of crystal methamphetamine, an ounce of marijuana, $13,000, firearms, and numerous vehicles,” he said. “The street value of the seized narcotics was $155,000.”

Posey said Rabun played a key role in this operation on a two-fold basis:

“This particular investigation is an example of the value of interagency cooperation. Because of the strong, existing relationships between the participating agencies, agents were able to share intelligence and coordinate the dismantling of a complex drug trafficking organization,” he said.

The investigation continues and additional arrests are expected.