Newton Citizen

Photo by Brian Giandelone

COVINGTON -- The Covington/Newton County Special Investigations Unit recently made two drug arrests.

According to SIU Special Agent Paul Madsen, a Conyers man was arrested Feb. 10 when he showed up at a residence on Ga. Highway 36 to allegedly deliver an ounce of methamphetamine, commonly known as ice.

"We were doing an undercover sting. He was going to bring us an ounce of methamphetamine. When he arrived, we blocked him in and the ice was found inside his vehicle," Madsen said.

Juan Jose Hernandez-Gonzalez, 29, of 630 Cross Creek Trail in Conyers, was arrested and charged with trafficking in methamphetamine and driving without a license.

Madsen said Hernandez-Gonzalez was not cooperating with investigators, but the investigation into his activities is ongoing.

"We expect (U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement) to put a hold on him and after he goes through ... these charges, they will probably deport him," Madsen said, adding that immigrants are now being deported based on charges of driving without a license alone. "We're seeing that a whole lot more now."

In an unrelated incident, a search warrant was executed the same day on Hendrix Street, behind the high rise assisted living facility off the Square.

Special Agent Mark Jones said about 11:30 a.m., officers with SIU and the Covington Police Department served a search warrant at 2161 Hendrix St. where they found approximately an ounce of marijuana. Agents had previously made controlled purchases from the house.

Stephanie Louise Flagg, 41, of that address was arrested and charged with possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, sale of marijuana and child support default.

"This was just more or less clearing out a problem house in the neighborhood," Jones said.