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Friday raid sweeps 8 for drugs
GOLDWIRE CORNELIUS
Cornelius Goldwire - photo by Photo courtesy of ECSO

The Effingham County Sheriff’s Office believes it’s put a substantial dent in the county’s drug problem.

After an lengthy investigation by ECSO drug agents, deputies  executed a search warrant Friday afternoon at a residence on Saddlehorn Lane in Effingham County where they arrested eight people, recovered a large amount of drugs and seized two vehicles.

This operation was conducted by the Effingham County Drug Enforcement Unit over the past several months. Several people arrested in the sweep are believed to have been supplying a large amount of drugs in the Effingham County area.

“We think a couple of them were some of the biggest drug suppliers in Effingham County,” said ECSO Detective David Ehsanipoor. “We feel that bust is going to significantly impact the drug trade in Effingham County.”

Cedric Griffin, 29, of Clyo, Frank Lang, 29, of Springfield, Ontario Pinkney, 26, of Springfield, Cornelius Goldwire, 25, of Springfield, Ebony Gadsen, 22 of Springfield, and Jasmine Gadsen, 24, of  Springfield, have all been arrested and charged with trafficking cocaine, possession of crack cocaine with intent to distribute, possession of marijuana with intent to distribute and possession of ecstasy with intent to distribute.

Several of those arrested were out on parole or probation for previous drug offenses, Ehsanipoor said.

Eric Holbert, 21, of Springfield, and John William Richard, 25, of Rincon, were both charged with possession of marijuana. They were in the neighborhood driving a meat truck and were claiming to be selling meat when they were caught up in the raid. Investigators believe they were purchasing drugs from the residence at the time of the raid.

“We will continue to work diligently to eradicate drugs from our community,” said Sheriff Jimmy McDuffie. “Drugs are often at the root of other crimes and we will continue to take all steps necessary to address this issue which impacts crime as a whole.”

All subjects are being held in the Effingham County Jail.