Today, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation announces the culmination of a 7 month joint undercover narcotics investigation in Laurens County, Georgia. The success of today's operation is the result of the cooperative effort of the Laurens County Sheriff's Department, the Dublin Police Department, the GBI Macon Regional Drug Enforcement Office and the GBI State Drug Task Force.

In September 2007 the GBI State Drug Task Force, the GBI Macon Regional Drug Enforcement Office, the Laurens County Sheriffs Department and the Dublin Police Department initiated an extensive undercover operation. This investigation was the result of a joint request from the Dublin Police Department and the Laurens County Sheriffs Department targeting narcotics distribution in the LaurensCounty area. As the result of this investigation, today 67 individuals are being sought for various violations of the Georgia Controlled Substances Act. Charges range from the sale of marijuana to cocaine and ecstasy, with 171 arrest warrants being issued in connection with today's operation. It is anticipated that other arrest operations similar to that of today will be launched unannounced for others sought in connection with this operation.

The State Drug Task Force expended in excess of $26,000 in support of this investigation. Funding for this operation in support for the State Drug Task Force comes from grant funds awarded to the GBI from the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council of Georgia as part of the Byrne/JAG Grant.

Agencies participating in today's arrest operations include the Laurens County Sheriff's Office, Dublin Police Department, East Dublin Police Department, GBI Macon Regional Drug Enforcement Office, GBI Region 12 Field Office, GBI State Drug Task Force, Georgia State Patrol, Georgia Pardons and Parole, Dublin Judicial Circuit District Attorneys Office, Dodge County State Prison K-9 Unit and the Georgia Department of Corrections.