September 08, 2018
Operation Unicoi Pipeline
Hiawassee, GA (September 8, 2018) - On Wednesday, September 5, 2018, multiple law enforcement agencies swarmed on suspected methamphetamine traffickers in Georgia and Clay County, NC by executed numerous search warrants. This unified law enforcement effort, dubbed “Operation Unicoi Pipeline” is the result of a 16-month investigation. This investigation revealed Charles Michael Ledford and Bobby Roger “Rob” Burch were responsible for the distribution of more than 150 kilograms of methamphetamine over the past two years. Authorities seized more than 15 pounds of crystal methamphetamine, stolen firearms, and currency derived from methamphetamine distribution. The street value of the seized illegal drugs is more than $725,000.00.
Authorities found over three pounds of methamphetamine hidden in a truck battery belonging to Burch in Gainesville, GA. Burch had just left Ledford’s residence in Conyers and was traveling to Hayesville, NC. Authorities executed search warrants at Ledford’s residence and found another 12 pounds of methamphetamine. Authorities also executed a search warrant at Michael Byers’ residence in Young Harris, GA and found one ounce of methamphetamine. North Carolina authorities executed numerous search warrants in Clay County, NC and seized a cache of guns and illegal drugs from Burch’s residence. Clay County, NC has confirmed many of these guns are stolen.
Charles Michael Ledford, 48, of Conyers was arrested for trafficking methamphetamine and transported to the Rockdale County Detention Center.
Bobby Roger “Rob” Burch, 47, of Hayesville, NC was arrested for trafficking methamphetamine and transported to the Hall County Detention Center. Warrants are pending in Clay County, NC for Maintain Vehicle/Dwelling/Place for Controlled Substances, Possession with Intent to Manufacture/Sell/Deliver Methamphetamine, and Possession of Stolen Firearm.
Michael Dean Byers, 46, of Young Harris was arrested for trafficking methamphetamine in Georgia and Sell and Deliver Methamphetamine and Trafficking in Methamphetamine in Clay County, NC and transported to the Towns County Detention Center.
This is an active investigation and additional arrests are expected. Agencies request that anyone with information about this organization contact the Appalachian Regional Drug Enforcement Office at 706-348-7410 or any of the participating agencies.
The following agencies have active roles in this investigation: Towns County Sheriff’s Office, Clay County, North Carolina Sheriff’s Office, Rockdale County Sheriff’s Office Special Investigations Unit, Macon County Sheriff’s Office K9 Unit and Special Response Team “SRT”, Highlands Police Department, Cherokee Indian Police Department, Swain County, NC Sheriff’s Office, North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation, DEA, Hall County Sheriff’s Office Multi Agency Narcotics Squad, and GBI’s West Metro Regional Drug Enforcement Office.
For additional information about Appalachian RDEO or to provide tips on criminal activity look for ARDEO @AppalachianDTF on Twitter or follow on Facebook @AppalachianRDEO and/or Instagram.
The Appalachian Regional Drug Enforcement Office is a multi-agency unit that consists of the following Sheriff’s Offices: White County, Lumpkin County, Towns County, Banks County, Jackson County, Habersham County, Stephens County, Rabun County, Franklin County; Cleveland Police Department, Lavonia Police Department, and the Toccoa Police Department, along with the Georgia National Guard Counter Drug Task Force, Georgia Department of Public Safety, and Georgia Bureau of Investigation.
