'We hear you': Richmond County Sheriff's Office seizes guns, drugs off the streets

Alexandra Koch, Augusta Chronicle
·2 min read
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Richmond County Sheriff Richard Roundtree during the Operation Grace press conference at the Richmond County Sheriff's Office South Precinct on Wednesday, Sept. 21, 2022. During Operation Grace, police officers seized 176 guns and large quantities of drugs.
Richmond County Sheriff Richard Roundtree during the Operation Grace press conference at the Richmond County Sheriff's Office South Precinct on Wednesday, Sept. 21, 2022. During Operation Grace, police officers seized 176 guns and large quantities of drugs.

A three-month, multi-agency law enforcement operation in the Augusta area recently netted more than 100 arrests, several dozen confiscated guns and the seizure of multiple pounds of illegal drugs.

The FBI's Safe Streets Task Force worked with the Richmond County Sheriff's Office to conduct the operation, which was focused on disrupting and dismantling dangerous drug and gang organizations in the community.

"Through proactive steps involving dozens of traffic stops and other investigative means, law enforcement officials made 119 felony arrests," according to a news release issued Wednesday from the FBI's Atlanta office.

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Firearms seized as a part of Operation Grace sit on tables during the Operation Grace press conference at the Richmond County Sheriff's Office South Precinct on Wednesday, Sept. 21, 2022. During Operation Grace, police officers seized 176 guns and large quantities of drugs.
Firearms seized as a part of Operation Grace sit on tables during the Operation Grace press conference at the Richmond County Sheriff's Office South Precinct on Wednesday, Sept. 21, 2022. During Operation Grace, police officers seized 176 guns and large quantities of drugs.

Around three dozen of the people arrested are being referred for potential federal prosecution, according to the release.

Authorities seized 176 guns, more than half a pound of fentanyl, 483 pills, more than 600 grams of cocaine, 1.5 pounds of meth, more than 45 grams of heroin, 33 pounds of marijuana, and $214,763 in cash allegedly tied to illegal acts, according to police.

Police officers wait to be briefed on Operation Grace during the Operation Grace press conference at the Richmond County Sheriff's Office South Precinct on Wednesday, Sept. 21, 2022. During Operation Grace, police officers seized 176 guns and large quantities of drugs.
Police officers wait to be briefed on Operation Grace during the Operation Grace press conference at the Richmond County Sheriff's Office South Precinct on Wednesday, Sept. 21, 2022. During Operation Grace, police officers seized 176 guns and large quantities of drugs.

Richmond County Sheriff Richard Roundtree said the operation continues his commitment to reduce gun and gang violence.

"Operation Grace is what happens when all of our federal, state and local partners work together and the numbers speak volumes," Roundtree said. "What is even more impressive are the hundreds of contacts made with law abiding citizens in the afflicted areas. We want the citizens to know that you do have a voice and we hear you."

Keri Farley, special agent in charge of FBI Atlanta, said the FBI's Safe Streets Task Force and its law enforcement partners will continue to work to disrupt violent gang operations and seize illegal weapons and drugs, noted the release.

Jared Williams, District Attorney for Augusta Judicial Circuit, speaks during the Operation Grace press conference at the Richmond County Sheriff's Office South Precinct on Wednesday, Sept. 21, 2022. During Operation Grace, police officers seized 176 guns and large quantities of drugs.
Jared Williams, District Attorney for Augusta Judicial Circuit, speaks during the Operation Grace press conference at the Richmond County Sheriff's Office South Precinct on Wednesday, Sept. 21, 2022. During Operation Grace, police officers seized 176 guns and large quantities of drugs.

Operation Grace included participants from the Richmond County Sheriff's Office, FBI Atlanta, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Georgia Bureau of Investigation, Georgia State Patrol, U.S. Marshals, Georgia Department of Community Supervision, Augusta Judicial Circuit District Attorney's Office, and the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Georgia.

This article originally appeared on Augusta Chronicle: Guns, drugs seized by FBI, Richmond County Sheriff's Office in Augusta