Rockford drug bust: Search warrant turns up illegal drugs, cash

Agents of the Fifth Judicial Drug Task Force and officers of the Blount County Sheriff’s Office SWAT (Special Weapons and Tactics) team served the third search warrant since April in the Williams Hill community of Rockford. The June 5 early morning raid resulted in officers locating more than 2 ounces of powder cocaine, two-thirds ounces of crack cocaine, and a pound of high grade, hydroponically grown marijuana. Officers also seized more than $2,000 in illegal drug proceeds. Street value of the combined narcotics seized was more than $7,000. Two men were arrested at the scene. Anthony B. Banks, 32, of Atlanta, was charged with possession of a Schedule II controlled substance (cocaine) with intent to deliver or sell, possession of a Schedule VI controlled substance with intent to deliver or sell (marijuana), and possession of drug paraphernalia. Banks is being held at the Blount County Detention Facility on bonds totaling $21,000. Demetrius L. Jones, 24, also of Atlanta, was charged with simple possession of a Schedule VI controlled substance (marijuana). Jones’ bond was set at $1,000. Both men are scheduled to appear in General Sessions Court at 1:30 p.m. June 18. Capt. Ron Talbott, director of the Drug Task Force, praises all the officers involved in this investigation and its subsequent arrests. “Our agents will continue to saturate this area and any others like it in Blount County,” Talbott said. “This is an important and substantial milestone in a long-term investigation that was achieved through professional investigative techniques.” This is the third such raid law enforcement has conducted in the same area since April. The other two raids involved the residence of Mack Williams, Sr., just a few doors down from this action.