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Operation Tighten Up: Larry 'Lil Man' Frick's drug trafficking organization dismantled, police say

The drug operation allegedly distributed more than 100 kilograms of meth within 5 months. The drugs are valued at $3.5 million.

After a five-month investigation, law enforcement officers on the local, state and federal level were able to dismantle a multi-million drug trafficking operation. 

On Friday, the Appalachian Regional Drug Enforcement Office said they were in the process of serving 10 search warrants and 14 arrest warrants for member and suppliers of Larry 'Lil Man' Fricks' alleged drug organization.

They allege Fricks' operation is responsible for distributing more than 100 kilograms of meth within five short months. The drugs are street-valued at $3.5 million.

"Operation Tighten Up" was a collaboration between several agencies. 

The Banks and Jackson County sheriff's offices worked with ARDEO, the Piedmont Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s office, and a federal task force.

ARDEO said investigators were able to share information with the different agencies to help dismantle the drug operation. A few other local police and sheriff's offices helped with the investigation.

Multiple charges have been brought against these persons under the Racketeering Influenced Corrupt Organization statue.

Law enforcement seized about nine pounds of crystal methamphetamine, one ounce of marijuana, $13,000 in cash, firearms and numerous vehicle. The street value of the seized narcotics was $155,000.

Fifteen people were arrested over the course of ten searches and multiple Racketeering Influenced Corrupt Organization (RICO) charges have been brought against the following people:

  • Larry 'Little Man' Dwayne Fricks, 27, of Gainesville
  • Michael Douglas Gribble, 42, of Commerce
  • Stephanie Mae Pritchett, 38, of Winder
  • Chelsea Mangum Fricks, 28, of Gainesville
  • Brandon Dwight Wood, 37, of Maysville
  • Dwayne Eldon Fricks, 52, of Maysville
  • James Christopher Hood, 34, of Gainesville
  • Walter Cecil Whitehead IV, 45, of Braselton
  • Jared Cody Elder, 26, of Cleveland
  • Timothy 'Freebird' Freeman, 59, of Gainesville
  • Matthew Lee Gerrin, 31, of Gillsville
  • Marty 'Go Hard' Thomas, 36, of Hancock State Prison
  • Gary 'Red' Loyd Brown, 56, of Dahlonega
  • William Dale Gray, 47, of Commerce

All of those arrested were transported to the Jackson County Sheriff's Office. The remaining outstanding warrant is for 59-year-old Rickie Nation of Maysville, Ga.

Credit: ARDEO
Rickie Nation, 59, of Maysville, Ga., remains at large. If anyone has information regarding his whereabouts, they are asked to contact their local law enforcement.

Anyone who knows of Nation's whereabouts is asked to contact the Appalachian Regional Drug Enforcement Office at 706-348-7410 or your local police department.  

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