After months of investigation, several people were arrested on drug charges

EFFINGHAM COUNTY, Ga. (WTOC) – The Effingham County Sheriff's Office has concluded a months-long joint investigation between its office's drug enforcement unit and the Bryan County Sheriff's Office.

They say the investigation spanned several months and on Oct. 25, the Bryan County Sheriff's Office and ECSO's Narcotics Enforcement Unit executed a search warrant on Greenbriar Trail in Ellabell.

During the search warrant, they allegedly seized quantities of fentanyl, methamphetamine manufacturing tools and a stolen firearm.

On October 29, another search warrant was executed at a home on Homestead Drive. As part of this search warrant, they seized commercial quantities of fentanyl, prescription drugs, and materials associated with the distribution of controlled substances.

“As the number of overdoses continues to rise, both the Bryan County Sheriff's Office and the Effingham County Sheriff's Office, particularly our Drug Suppression Unit, will make the fight against drugs, drug sales and activity in our community a top priority. “The amount of time and effort the Bryan County Sheriff’s Office and our Drug Enforcement Unit have put into this investigation shows that we will work together and find you if you are using and selling drugs in and around our community,” said Sheriff Jimmy McDuffie.

The following people were arrested during the investigation:

• Richard Downs, 36, of Ellabell, was arrested and charged with possession of a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony and trafficking in fentanyl.
• Austin Griffin, 28, of Ellabell, was arrested and charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance (Schedule II) and Possession of Tools to Commit a Felony.
• Cody Griffin, 30, of Ellabell, was arrested and charged with possession of a controlled substance (Schedule II), possession of tools to commit a crime and trafficking in fentanyl.
• Courtney Huggins, 31, of Ellabell, was arrested and charged with possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.
• Kenneth Lane, 32, of Pembroke, was arrested and charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and possession of tools to commit a felony.
• Kenneth Rose, 25, of Ellabell, was arrested and charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance (Schedule II) and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.
• Cheyenne Tillman, 21, of Ellabell, was arrested and charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance (Schedule II), Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and Violation of Probation.

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