SPALDING COUNTY, Ga. — Investigators have a strong warning for members of the "Ghost Face Gangsters" operating in Spalding County: "We are coming for you."
The Sheriff's Office shared that warning after investigators linked a drug distribution operation in the Griffin-Spalding area to the street gang with Neo-Nazi ties.
Their investigation all started after seeing a rise in calls for overdoses of meth, heroine, and what users believe to be prescription medication.
RELATED | Inside The Triangle
At least three of those calls in the last month alone resulted in deaths, but authorities believe the common thread in the incidents is a deadly opiate: fentanyl.
A minor exposure to fentanyl can cause a person to go into respiratory or cardiac arrest immediately, and without the use of Narcan to counteract the effects of the drug, death is almost certain. Often, authorities say, users and dealers believe that the product they receive from their suppliers is safe when in fact it may contain fentanyl. And Sheriff Darrell Dix said their office is starting to see the deadly opiate mixed in more and more with prescription medications - crushed, then put back together in pill form.
But the sheriff's office has made several arrests in connection to the rise in overdoses.
Amanda Chambers, Kevin Kennedy and Jackson Jones all face drug charges in relation to two separate incidents.
The first week in August, deputies responded to 2475 Steele Road where they found a man dead from a drug overdose containing fentanyl. A few weeks later, deputies responded to a RaceTrac where they found a second man dead of an overdose. Again, his death was linked to fentanyl. An investigation into the situation led authorities to charge Amanda Chambers with involuntary manslaughter, possession of fentanyl with intent to distribute, reckless conduct and interference with a 911 call. Kevin Kennedy was also charged with reckless conduct in relation to one of the deaths.
In another incident on Aug. 25, deputies responded to 1185 School Road to a report of an unconscious person that had overdosed on narcotics. When deputies got there, they found Jackson Jones in his vehicle in cardiac arrest. As soon as firefighters arrived, they began CPR. EMS arrived and gave Jones a dose of Narcan then took him to Spalding Regional Hospital. A search of Jones' vehicle, however, uncovered a bag that contained more than a half-pound of methamphetamine.
Jones has recovered, but is now in custody at the Spalding County Jail charged with trafficking methamphetamine, possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, and possession of methamphetamine. All indications are that this incident is also tied to fentanyl.
Investigators believe that the majority of distribution of these narcotics is tied to the “Ghost Face Gangsters” gang that have members operating in the Griffin Spalding County area. As the investigation continues authorities said they expect to make more arrests and charge Ghost Face members under the Georgia Criminal Street Gang Act and "any other violation of the law that we can charge them with."
"If you are a Ghost Face Gangster here in Spalding County we are coming for you," Sheriff Dix warned. "Stop or leave, or we will stop you and you will leave in the back seat of a Spalding County deputy’s car. Just like with any other gang thug, this is your only warning."
Meanwhile, authorities are imploring the public to take the fentanyl issue seriously.
"We do not want to see anyone die because of their drug use," they said. "If you have a friend, family member or loved one that is a drug user, we ask you to intervene and have a conversation with them about their drug abuse. Please urge them to get help and help them get help before they die from their habit. If you are a drug user, please get help. Go to your family, friends, churches, Doctors, or law enforcement agencies to get help. There are local resources available to you that will help you in your struggle with addiction. Please get help before you lose your life. This is your wake-up call, and it may be the only one you get."
Authorities said if folks choose to ignore their pleas and continue to use or distribute narcotics laced with fentanyl, they ask that they make sure that to carry identification.
"By carrying identification, we will be able to identify you, and notify your next of kin when your body is found," the sheriff's office explained. "Some may view this as harsh, but the time for playing games and being soft about this issue are over. Some people that are dealing or using need a rude awakening especially since this issue is dealing with life or death. It is our hope that they take the opportunity given to them and save their own life."
MORE CRIME NEWS | Mugshot Gallery
