By Steven Thomas
The Valley Times-News

WEST POINT — Six West Point men have been charged with felony possession of marijuana with intent to sell following execution of a search warrant late Thursday night.

According to a statement released by the West Point Police Department, LaKeithin Buckner, Keltavious Murphy, Stefone Stafford, Messeiar Bonner, LaFranco McCullough and Jamontez Cofield, all of West Point, were arrested and are being charged with purchase, possession, manufacture, distribution or sale of controlled substances or marijuana and felony possession of marijuana.

West Point Detective Tunya Brown said the suspects are in their early 20s.

The men were taken into custody around 9:30 p.m. at a residential home on East 10th Street in West Point.

During this search, several pounds of marijuana were found throughout the home.

Detective Brown added five of the men were found in the home, while Buckner was apprehended attempting to leave.

“We executed the search in response to drug activity an officer witnessed around the home,” she said.

Brown also reported that while serving the search warrant, an officer was thought to have been shot. However, that belief was incorrect. Instead what transpired was an accidental discharge of an officer’s Taser.

“This incident is still under investigation at this time,” she said.

All suspects were taken into custody without incident.

Over the course of executing the search warrant, West Point Police were assisted by members of nine other departments, including the Lanett Police Department, the Troup County Sheriff Office, the Chambers County Sheriff Office, Chambers County DTS Unit, Georgia State Patrol, Harris County Sheriff Office, Valley Police Department, LaGrange Police Department and West Point Fire Department.

“Rumors got out that an officer was injured and the other departments responded to help out,” Brown said.

As this investigation is still ongoing, further information will be reported as it comes in.