Richland, GA – On Friday January 19th, 2018, Eric Lenn Josey age 54, was arrested in Richland, Stewart County, Georgia culminating a months-long investigation by agents with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) West Metro Regional Drug Enforcement Office and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) regional office in Columbus, Georgia.

Law enforcement agents developed information that Josey was distributing cocaine from his residence in Richland. A search warrant was executed at Josey’s home and agents discovered marijuana valued at $10,000, powder cocaine, crack cocaine valued at $1000, hydrocodone pills valued at $16,650, and a quantity of MDMA Ecstasy pills.  

Josey was charged with possession of a cocaine with intent to distribute, possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, possession of scheduled II (hydrocodone) with intent to distribute, and possession of MDMA with intent to distribute.

Additionally, after further investigation, Josey was charged with trafficking in illegal drugs (hydrocodone), theft by receiving stolen property (3 counts), and criminal use of an article with an altered serial number (2 counts). An arrest constitutes only the initiation of charges and those arrested are presumed innocent unless or until proven guilty in a court of law.

Also assisting in the investigation was the Lumpkin Police Department, Richland Police Department, , Stewart County Sheriff’s Office, and the Georgia Department of Corrections.

The GBI West Metro Regional Drug Enforcement Office is in Carrollton, Georgia and services 30 counties. The office is comprised of members from the GBI, Carrollton Police Department, Villa Rica Police Department, Bowden Police Department, Lagrange Police Department, Peachtree City Police Department, Atlanta Police Department, Carroll County Sheriff’s Office and Heard County Sheriff’s Office.

Joe Chesnut – Special Agent in Charge | WMRDEO |  [email protected]