Pubdate: Mon, 03 Apr 2006
Source: Macon Telegraph (GA)
Copyright: 2006 The Macon Telegraph Publishing Company
Contact:  http://www.macontelegraph.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/667
Author: Becky Purser
Note: MAP archives articles exactly as published, except that our 
editors may redact the names and addresses of accused persons who 
have  not been convicted of a crime, if those named are not otherwise 
public  figures or officials.

SAFETY-BELT VIOLATION LEADS TO DRUG BUST

PERRY - A routine traffic stop Saturday along Interstate 75 led to 
the arrest of nine people on drug charges.

A Houston County sheriff's deputy pulled over a vehicle just north of 
Perry because the driver wasn't wearing a seat belt, asked to search 
the vehicle and discovered several small bags of cocaine and some 
marijuana, Houston County Sheriff's Sgt. Wayne Franklin said today.

The driver of a second vehicle pulled up to see why his friends had 
been stopped and deputies asked to search that vehicle in light of 
drugs found in the other, Franklin said.

In all, about $250,000 worth of cocaine in small plastic bags was 
discovered in both vehicles, along with small amounts of marijuana, 
said Franklin, a narcotics investigator.

While not a big drug bust, Franklin said, "It was a good little pop." 
The investigator said it was clear from the size of bags and scales 
seized that the men, all members of the same construction crew, were 
dealing drugs.

All were charged with possession of cocaine with intent to 
distribute, Franklin said.

The men were identified by police as [Names redacted]
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman