Tifton, GA – A five month criminal investigation into the diversion of controlled substances conducted by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) Sylvester Field Office, Georgia Drugs and Narcotics Agency (GDNA), Mid South Narcotics Task Force (MSNTF), and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) was brought to a conclusion with the arrest of Carole Ray, the pharmacist in charge and owner of Tifton Drugs, 208 Main Street, Tifton GA.

On Wednesday, May 28, 2014, Michael Lindsey, age 44, and Keith Lindsey, age 40, were arrested after a traffic stop by the Turner County Sheriff’s Office which found the pair to be in possession of 1,000 Hydrocodone tablets that were alleged to have been diverted from Tifton Drugs.  Both men have Tift County addresses and were charged with Possession of a Schedule III Controlled Substance with Intent to Distribute and Conspiracy to Possess a Schedule III Controlled Substance.  Both men were booked into the Turner County Jail. 

On the morning of Thursday, May 29, 2014, Ray was arrested at her residence on Highway 32, in Sycamore, GA, after officials with the above named agencies, along with the Turner County Sheriff’s Office, executed a search warrant at the home.  A large quantity of controlled substances and approximately $10,000.00 in cash were recovered during this search. 

Following the search of Ray’s home, law enforcement traveled to Tifton Drugs where a search of the business was conducted.  Boxes of documents were seized as evidence and transported from the pharmacy.  These records are expected to document the number of controlled substances that were dispensed from the pharmacy.

Based on the investigation, another search warrant was executed at R & R Auto Car Care, on Highway 41, in Ashburn, GA.  This business is owned by Ricky Walker.  Walker, age 51, was arrested and has been charged with Conspiracy to Distribute a Schedule III Controlled Substance.  He is being held in the Turner County Jail.

Ray, age 64, has been charged with Conspiracy to Possess a Schedule III Controlled Substance with Intent to Distribute.  She is being held in the Turner County Jail. 

Additional charges are expected to be filed. 

This successful investigation was a joint effort by the GBI, GDNA, MSNTF, DEA, Turner County Sheriff’s Office, Tift County Sheriff’s Office, and the Crisp County Sheriff’s Office.  The Mid-South Narcotics Task Force is made up of deputies from Tift, Crisp, and Turner Counties.

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Contact Information:

SAC Kim Baker 404-694-3257