COCAINE RING BUSTED

2-year investigation leads to multiple arrests

By Stephenie Livingston, Reporter

A two-year investigation stretching across state lines into Georgia has led to eight arrests and yielded more than 800 grams of cocaine with an estimated street value of $32,000, Suwannee County Sheriff Tony Cameron said Wednesday. The alleged head of the operation, a Suwannee County man, remains at large, according to Cameron. All eight suspects were arrested on Suwannee County warrants.

Brian Otis Hall, 27, was arrested in Suwannee County on a charge of trafficking cocaine;

Robert Lee Baker, 48, was arrested in Suwannee County on charges of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, trafficking cocaine and violation of probation;

Herbert Lee White, 58, was arrested in Suwannee County on a charge of possession of cocaine;

Jamil Dewayne White, 33, was arrested in Suwannee County on charges of violation of probation and possession of cocaine with intent to sell.

Vincent L West, 41, was arrested in Lowndes County, Ga. on a charge of conspiracy to traffic cocaine;

Curtis Mincey, 31, arrested in Lowndes County on a charge of trafficking in cocaine, is being held on a Suwannee County warrant for conspiracy to traffic cocaine;

Terrance L. Hall, 34, was arrested in Lowndes County on a charge of trafficking in cocaine;

Jerica Jolly, 20, was arrested in Lowndes County on a charge of conspiracy to traffic cocaine.

The alleged head of the cocaine ring, Leron Sims, 37, of Live Oak, remains at large, according to Cameron. Sims is wanted on five counts of conspiracy to traffic cocaine, conspiracy to launder money, and for operating a continuing criminal enterprise. Also at large is Morris "Mo" Terry, 37. Terry has active arrest warrants for trafficking cocaine and conspiracy to traffic cocaine.

In addition to the cocaine, $6,000 in cash was also seized during the arrests, which occurred in Suwannee and Lowndes counties, Cameron said. An investigation continues into the financial activities of the operation, said Cameron.

The Suwannee County Drug Task Force, Columbia County Drug Task Force, Lowndes County Drug Task Force, Florida Department of Law Enforcement, United States Drug Enforcement Administration, Live Oak Police Department and Lake City Police Department combined forces for the investigation, according to a press release from the Suwannee County Sheriff's Office.

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