The Whitfield County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Unit has arrested six people in connection with a methamphetamine ring.
The unit developed information that two suspects had a quantity of meth and were attempting to distribute some in the south end of the county. A Sheriff’s deputy spotted the 2003 GMC Envoy on Highway 41 at the Carbondale Road intersection. When the deputy attempted to stop the vehicle, the driver (Kerri Nichols) refused to stop and a chase ensued into Gordon County.
During the chase some objects were observed being thrown from the suspect vehicle. The vehicle was forced to a stop in Gordon County and the two occupants were taken into custody. The passenger was identified as Michael Finnegan. The items thrown from the vehicle were recovered and identified as methamphetamine. Over $11,000 cash was seized from the suspects. Gordon County Sheriff’s Office and Calhoun Police Department assisted in the arrest and investigation.
Based on the information developed as a result of the investigation officers were able to determine quantities of meth were being distributed in the Dalton area by some individuals from the Atlanta area, authorities said.
A covert operation was initiated when it was determined these dealers were supposed to make a delivery the next day. On Friday, at approximately 6 p.m. the suspects arrived in Dalton and met with an individual in the parking lot of the Trade Center for the purpose of selling a large quantity of meth.
While the transaction was taking place officers moved in and arrested the four individuals. One subject (Alejandro Zamora-Gonzalez) attempted to flee on foot but was caught after a short foot chase.
A quantity of meth was recovered from the suspect, as well as over $5,000. The meth recovered from the suspects was discovered in a Frosted Flakes cereal box that had been opened and resealed. The box was in a sack with other groceries. The Georgia State Patrol assisted the Sheriff’s Office in the arrest.
Approximately five pounds of meth with a street value of $218,000 was recovered during this investigation. Six arrests were made and three vehicles were seized. The six arrested are identified as Kerri D. Nichols, 28, of Chatsworth, Ga.; Michael P. Finnegan, 33, of Fairmont, Ga.; Lauren N. Williams, 34, of Calhoun, Ga.; Iban Gonzalez-Gutierrez, 33, of McDonough Ga.;Alejandro Zamora-Gonzalez, 25, of Sandy Springs, Ga., and Lucio Contreras, 53, of Lawrenceville, Ga.
All six suspects have been charged with trafficking in methamphetamine, possession of methamphetamine, and possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute.
Ms. Nichols also has several traffic violations where she failed to stop for officers and Zamora-Gonzalez has an additional charge of obstruction of an officer.