Richard Long
The Dalton Police Department detectives led a meth bust on Sunday night that resulted in two arrests and the seizure of approximately $190,000 worth of crystal methamphetamine.
Evidence in the case also led investigators in Cherokee County to more drugs. The bust came after more than a month of investigation initiated by the Dalton Police Department’s Drug Unit and in cooperation with a investigators with the Murray County Sheriff’s Office, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, the Department of Homeland Security and Georgia State Patrol.
After more than a month of tracking methamphetamine trafficking in the Dalton and Murray County area, Dalton investigators received information that Angela Elezan Lovain, 36, of Chatsworth was planning to travel from Cherokee County to Dalton with methamphetamine.
After conducting surveillance on the trip, Dalton investigators requested that a Georgia State Patrol trooper pull over Ms. Lovain’s vehicle near the intersection of Walnut Avenue and Dug Gap Road. Dalton investigators received consent from Ms. Lovain to search the vehicle, and also had a K9 drug dog alert on the vehicle.
After searching the car, investigators found approximately 4.3 pounds of crystal meth hidden in an appliance box. The street value of the drugs is estimated by investigators to be $190,000.
Dalton investigators arrested Ms. Lovain and passenger, Richard Lee Long, 51, of Chatsworth. Ms. Lovain was charged with possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, trafficking in methamphetamine, and possession of methamphetamine. Long was charged with possession of methamphetamine and trafficking in methamphetamine.
Information developed in this investigation also led investigators with the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office to execute a search warrant Monday that led to the seizure to more than two pounds of meth and approximately $30,000 in cash. This investigation is continuing.
Angela Lovain