This morning, the Ben Hill County Sheriff’s Office Special Operations Division, along with the department’s Uniform Division and the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, executed a search warrant at 309 West Orange Street in Fitzgerald.
Case Agent Gary Rogers, Investigator James Skinner, and Investigator Grayson Watson, the three Drug Investigators assigned to the agency’s Special Operations Division, spearheaded the investigation.
The case began in January after investigators received information that Kerrion Smith, a teacher and football coach at Veterans High School, was allegedly transporting pounds of marijuana into Ben Hill County for distribution throughout the county and from the residence listed above.
As a result of the search warrant, three individuals were placed under arrest and charged with Possession of Marijuana with Intent to Distribute, along with numerous additional felony charges. WALB has reported that Smith was one of the individuals who was arrested.
During the operation, deputies seized two vehicles, approximately 581.7 grams (1.28 pounds) of marijuana, $4,816 in U.S. currency, and three handguns.
The residence is located within 1,000 feet of the former Fitzgerald High School campus, which is still utilized by staff and students for various activities.
This case is the result of relentless, intel-driven investigative work and the coordinated efforts of the Benn Hill County Sheriff’s Office’s Special Operations Division working as a unified team. Their dedication and professionalism continue to make a measurable impact in the fight against illegal drug activity in Ben Hill County.
