NGRDEO makes three more arrests in White Co. meth ring

CLEVELAND - Agents with the North Georgia Regional Drug Enforcement Office (NGRDEO) said they have now dismantled a drug ring responsible for selling multiple pounds of methamphetamine a week across the region.<br /> <br /> Special Agent in Charge Mitchell Posey said in a press statement the final three suspects in the drug operation have now been arrested. Stacy Collins, 37, was arrested last week, while Jeremy Prestwood, 32, and Casey Gragg, 28, were arrested Monday, December 22. All three are all from Cleveland, according to Posey.<br /> <br /> Posey said Collins is believed to be responsible for organizing the distribution of methamphetamine through Prestwood, Gragg and another suspect, Johnny Patton, who was arrested on November 21. A fifth suspect, Scotty Gooch, is also behind bars.<br /> <br /> During the course of the investigation, Posey said NGRDEO Agents learned Prestwood and Gragg had a large quantity of methamphetamine and a semi-automatic handgun inside their residence along with three young children. Posey said in the interest of the children's safety, agents moved forward to remove the children from the residence. The three children, all under the age of 11, were turned over to another family member who lived nearby. <br /> <br /> Posey said during a search of the residence, NGRDEO agents seized approximately 4 ounces of methamphetamine with a street value of $12,320 and a .380 semi-automatic handgun.<br /> <br /> Collins, Prestwood and Gragg have been charged with trafficking of methamphetamine and are being held at the White County Detention Center. Prestwood and Gragg were also charged with possession of marijuana with intent to distribute and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. <br /> <br /> <i>(The North Georgia Drug Task Force is a multi-agency unit that consists of the following Sheriff's Offices: White County, Lumpkin County, Towns County, Banks County, Habersham County, Stephens County, Rabun County, along with the Department of Public Safety and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.</i> <br />