Crime & Safety

Police Capture Athens Men Wanted on Federal Drug Charges

They face charges for distributing crack cocaine.

Two Athens men wanted on federal drug trafficking charges were arrested Wednesday, according to police.

Demetrius Jermaine Bankston, 32, and Garrick Fernando Appling, 31, called “significant drug trafficking suspects” in an Athens-Clarke County press release sent Thursday, were apprehended as part of a multiple-agency investigation.

The Northeast Georgia Regional Drug Task Force and Athens-Clarke County Police Department assisted the Georgia Bureau of Investigation and U.S. Marshal's Service.

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Bankston and Appling were recently indicted in federal court in Macon on charges of conspiracy to distribute base cocaine (crack). They were arrested separately Wednesday and have been transported to Macon, the press release stated.

The Athens Banner-Herald reported a third man, Quinton Deon Riden, also of Athens, was indicted on the same charges.

Find out what's happening in Athenswith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Athens-Clarke Police Chief Joseph H. Lumpkin, Sr. said in the release:

"We are pleased to assist our state and federal partners to rid our community of unconscionable individuals living among us, who shamelessly profit from peddling their poisons in our community. Illicit drug usage and distribution of illegal substances is a common theme amongst recent incidents of violence that often results in deadly consequences. We all have a responsibility to assist in maintaining a safe community." 


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