Multi-million dollar drug trafficking dismantled

Law enforcement authorities are expressing confidence they have dismantled a multi-million drug trafficking operation based in Stephens County, Georgia—an operation that impacts Oconee County.  The Appalachian Regional Drug Enforcement Office in Cleveland, Georgia yesterday announced that 200 officers were serving nearly 50 search and arrest warrants.  A special agent for the Georgia Bureau of Investigation identified Barrow County resident and former Stephens County resident Horace Mayfield the ring leader of the operation.  As part of what’s described as an ongoing investigation, the Oconee Sheriff’s Office announced the termination of a county detention officer, Joy Hunter.  In a statement, Sheriff Mike Crenshaw said, “Ms. Hunter was arrested earlier today (Wednesday) due to warrants out of the state of Georgia as a result of this investigation.  She was a Correctional Officer at our Detention Center for 5 years and 9 months.  At this time, we do not believe that Ms. Hunter was responsible for the introduction of contraband into our Detention Facility.”  As for the Georgia-based investigation, Crenshaw said, six arrests have been made in Oconee and the six are to be transferred to Georgia custody.  GBI agent Mitchell Posey said Horace Mayfield and his ring have operated in Stephens County and areas from Atlanta to South Carolina for years and have been trafficking large amounts of drugs.