(Friday, December 10, 2010 @ approximately 10:30 am) Gwinnett County Police Special Investigations Section (SIS) with the assistance of the Gwinnett County District Attorney's Office and State Probation and Parole executed 3 search warrants and served several arrest warrants at several locations in the City of Buford in Gwinnett County.

In mid August, the Special Investigations Section received information from several concerned citizens in the City of Buford about individuals selling drugs out of their homes. SIS initiated a 3 ½ month long investigation. During the course of this investigation, undercover investigators purchased various types of drugs from several different individuals. They also purchased narcotics on several occasions from individuals at 3 homes located at 85 New Street, 540 Gold Street and 4231 Hamilton Mill all in the City of Buford. Investigators purchased Crack Cocaine, Methamphetamine and Lortab with Crack Cocaine being the primary narcotic purchased. Investigators developed probable cause to obtain search warrants for these 3 locations and 9 arrest warrants. Investigators also learned that the home at 85 New Street was heavily fortified at both entrances to the home. The narcotic was made from the rear entrance to the home. The door was made of heavy gage steel with a small hole in it where the transactions took place. Each door had multiple commercial grade bolt locks on them barricaded with bars across them. Investigators also learned that there were firearms inside.

On December 10^th at approximately 10:30 am, investigators executed the search warrants at the listed locations simultaneously taking a total of 14 people into custody. They seized crack cocaine, marijuana, cash and weapons from each home. The home on New Street required the assistance from the SWAT based off the fact that doors were fortified and the occupants may be armed inside. At the time of they executed the warrant, SWAT used an explosive devise to gain immediate access to the interior of the home to secure the occupants before they could destroy any evidence or use deadly force against law enforcement.

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Overall this was a successful investigation in the arrests of several individuals for street level narcotic sales. The arrests of these individuals will have a positive impact on the community especially since the sales took place just a few blocks away from downtown Buford, across the street from a daycare center and the cluster of Buford Schools.

This investigation netted the following results;

Search warrant @ 85 New Street

Seized: 4 gr. Crack Cocaine, 1 gr. Marijuana, 1 hand gun, and $845.00 cash.

Arrested:

1. 25 year old B/M Cedric Buffington of Buford. Charged with Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony.
2. 26 year old B/M Sirdarius Smith of Buford. Charged with Possession of Cocaine and Possession of Marijuana
3. 23 year old B/F Tichina Stooghill of Buford. Charged with Possession of Cocaine and Possession of Marijuana.
4. 19 year old B/M Javion Buffington of Buford. Arrested on an outstanding bench warrant for failure to appear out of Hall County.

Search warrant @ 540 Gold Street

Seized: 97 gr. Marijuana, 2 gr. Crack Cocaine, 2 handguns, and $764.00 cash.

Arrested:

1. 32 year old B/F Tomika Wansley of Buford. Charged with Possession of Cocaine with Intent to Distribute, Possession of Marijuana, Possession of Schedule III Controlled Substance and Possession of Schedule IV Controlled Substance.
2. 27 year old B/M Quinten Wansley of Buford. Charged with Possession of Cocaine with the Intent to Distribute, Possession of Marijuana and Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony.
3. 26 year old B/M William Maxey of Buford. Charged with Possession of Cocaine, Possession of Marijuana and Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony.

Search warrant @ 4231 Hamilton Mill Road

Seized: 1 hand gun and $351.00 cash

Arrested:

1. 51 year old B/F Shirley Taylor of Buford. Charged with Sale of Cocaine.
2. 21 year old B/M Whitney Johnson of Buford. Charged with Sale of Cocaine.
3. 21 year old Naajia Bancroft of Buford. Charged with Sale of Cocaine.
4. 42 year old Benjamin Smith of Buford. Charged with Parole Violation.

Arrest warrant service attempted @ 210 Latimore Avenue

1. B/M Mickey Andrew Thomas. Not in custody. Outstanding arrest warrants for 3 counts for Sale of Cocaine and previously wanted for Child Support Obligations.

Arrest warrant served @ 479 Charles Street

1. 47 year old W/F Penny Pruitt of Buford. Charged with Sale of Cocaine.

Arrest warrant served @ 640 Carrolls Way

1. 40 year old W/M William Stanley Etheridge of Buford. Charged with Sale of Methamphetamine.