LaGrange police serve warrants on alleged drug homes

Published 12:00 am Wednesday, May 4, 2016

By Melanie Ruberti

mruberti@civitasmedia.com

Smith

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Crowley

http://lagrangenews.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/37/2016/05/web1_Crowley-1.jpgCrowley

Finley

http://lagrangenews.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/37/2016/05/web1_Finley-1.jpgFinley

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LaGRANGE — Three people were taken into custody and more arrests could follow after the LaGrange Police Department’s Special Investigation Unit served search warrants on two separate homes where occupants were allegedly selling drugs.

The team served the first warrant April 22 at about 4 p.m. at a home in the 300 block of Front St.

According to Sgt. Mark Cavender, head of SIU, the search warrant was following at least a monthlong investigation into sales of cocaine and marijuana from the location.

Cavender said when investigators descended on the house, both the front and back door of the residence were barricaded.

He stated investigators used other means of entry and forced their way through the front door to get inside.

There was one person home, Tony Smith, 54, of LaGrange.

Cavender said Smith tried to run out of the back door, but more officers were waiting for him.

The suspect then retreated back inside the house, where he was taken into custody, stated Cavender.

Smith was taken to the Troup County Jail and charged with possession of cocaine.

Cavender said the case is still active and anticipates more charges and additional arrests will be made from that search.

Four and a half hours later, about 8:30 p.m., investigators executed another search warrant at a home in the 100 block of Royal Court.

Cavender said the warrant was served as a separate case and was part of an ongoing investigation into the sale of marijuana from the home.

According to Cavender, two people were arrested inside the residence: Brandon Crowley, 33, and Sharon Finley, 36, both of LaGrange.

Crowley and Finley were each charged with one count of possession of marijuana with the intent to distribute. They were taken to the Troup County Jail and bonded out.

Cavender stated this is also an active case. He said more charges and more arrests are pending.

Melanie Ruberti is a reporter with LaGrange Daily News. She can be reached at 706-884-7311, ext. 2156.