GBI heads drug-trafficking investigation that leads to four arrests

TIFTON — The GBI Southwestern Regional Drug Enforcement Office and the Tift County Sheriff’s Office concluded a two-month drug trafficking investigation that resulted in the arrests of four people and the seizure of illegal drugs representing a combined value of $710,000. The following were arrested and charged:

· Travarious Mike, aka “T Mike,” 27, of Tifton, Georgia — one count trafficking fentanyl;

· Makylia Wilcox, 24, of Winder — one count trafficking fentanyl;

· Lamar Watson, 37, of Columbus — one count trafficking methamphetamine;

· Courtney Gear, 47, of Tifton — one count possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

On the day of the arrests, the Crisp County Sheriff’s Office conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle driven by Makylia Wilcox, with passenger Travarious Mike. During the stop, the vehicle was searched and resulted in the seizure of 1.2 pounds of suspected fentanyl. Wilcox and Mike were arrested for trafficking fentanyl and taken to the Crisp County Jail.

The Tifton Police Department stopped a vehicle being driven by Lamar Watson as it was leaving Travarious Mike’s home in Tifton. A search of this vehicle resulted in the seizure of 16 pounds of suspected methamphetamine. Watson was arrested for trafficking methamphetamine and taken to the Tift County Jail. Watson is also a validated member of the Gangster Disciples criminal street gang.

A search warrant was then executed at Mike’s home, resulting in the seizure of five firearms, suspected methamphetamine, suspected marijuana, and suspected crack cocaine. Courtney Gear was inside Mike’s home and was arrested for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

A vehicle belonging to Wilcox was parked on Mike’s property. The vehicle was impounded, and a search warrant was obtained. A search of the vehicle resulted in the seizure of 1.65 pounds of suspected methamphetamine, 5.9 ounces of suspected heroin/fentanyl, suspected crack cocaine, and suspected counterfeit prescription pills.

Total drugs seized in this investigation is approximately 17.65 pounds of methamphetamine, 1.2 pounds of fentanyl, 5.9 ounces of heroin/fentanyl, crack cocaine, counterfeit prescription pills, and five firearms.

Additional arrests and charges are expected.

The GBI Southwestern Regional Drug Enforcement Office is in Albany and services 42 counties in southwest Georgia. The office is a collaborative effort between the GBI, the Albany Police Department, the Dougherty County Sheriff’s Office, the Dougherty County Police Department, the Dougherty County District Attorney’s Office, the Colquitt County Sheriff’s Office, the Americus Police Department, and is partially funded with Byrne/JAG grant funds.

Special Photo: GBI