-
Raymond Akins
By Glenn Harbison, News-Observerm — The drug trade across north Georgia suffered a crippling blow last Wednesday, Nov. 8, when law enforcement officers from five agencies seized nearly 35 pounds of methamphetamine and two pounds of marijuana from a Fannin County residence.
Also confiscated were 45 firearms, $8,878 in cash and various drug paraphernalia.
One suspect has been arrested and is held without bond, and warrants have been issued for another in connection with the seizure.
According to an arrest warrant charging Raymond Vandiver Akins with felony trafficking in methamphetamine or amphetamine, approximately 15 kilograms (15,730 grams) were located at Akins’ residence on 2454 Dry Pond Road.
That amount would translate into 34.68 pounds. Broken down into street value, or sale by a single dose, the value of the methamphetamine is placed at $5,033,600 based on a Georgia Bureau of Investigation conversion table.
In addition to the methamphetamine and marijuana, officers also confiscated 45 firearms including 32 long firearms (rifles and shotguns) and 13 pistols, digital scales, plastic baggies and smoking devices, according to the warrants.
Akins, 66, also faces felony charges of commission of a crime by a convicted felon; marijuana possession with intent to distribute; 45 counts of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon; and a misdemeanor charge of possession of drug-related objects.
Akins was taken into custody at the scene. He was denied bond during an initial appearance hearing in front of Fannin County Chief Magistrate Judge Brian Jones.
According to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) Appalachian Regional Drug Enforcement Office (ARDEO), warrants have also been issued charging Akins’ son, Cody Akins, in connection with the case.
Taking part in the seizures and arrests besides officers of the ARDEO were deputies from both the Fannin County and Gilmer County sheriff’s offices, and officers of the Federal Bureau of Investigation Conasauga Safe Streets Task Force and the Department of Community Supervision (Probation).
Anyone with information related to drug activity is encouraged to call the GBI ARDEO at 706-348-7410, going online to gbi.georgia.gov/submit-tips-online or by downloading the See Something, Send Something mobile app.