March 3 turned into a bad night for an alleged drug manufacturing and distribution ring in Camden County, as a multiagency operation moved in, seized heavy equipment and stolen guns, and arrested three local residents. Deputies say the takedown effectively dismantled the operation, and investigators are now working outward, following supply and distribution links across Southeast Georgia.
Investigation And Arrests
The Joint Camden Action Team (JCAT), working alongside the St. Marys and Kingsland police departments and the Naval Criminal Investigative Service, led the investigation. According to Action News Jax, investigators identified Linward James Jr. as the primary target. James was taken into custody on March 3 along with Curtis Waye and Marcus Johnson, all listed as Camden County residents.
What Police Seized
During the operation, deputies recovered two firearms that had been reported stolen: one out of St. Marys, Georgia, and another out of Jacksonville. They also located two two-kilogram cocaine presses. The sheriff’s office described the presses as "commonly used to manufacture and repackage cocaine for distribution" and noted that additional charges may be on the way, according to reporting by Yahoo.
Why Seizures Matter
Drug-pressing machines and pill presses can turn loose powder into tightly packed pills or bricks, making it easier for traffickers to scale up production and move product quickly. For law enforcement, getting those machines off the street is treated as a major hit to the supply chain. Federal agents have documented large seizures of industrial presses during big trafficking busts, underscoring how central the equipment is to organized drug operations, according to the DEA.
What Comes Next
The three men are facing various drug charges, and the Camden County Sheriff’s Office says the investigation is still active as detectives pursue additional leads. Anyone with information about illegal drug activity in Camden County is asked to contact the sheriff’s office at (912) 510-5100, according to county officials and the Camden County Sheriff's Office.
Legal Implications
Prosecutors will review the evidence and decide whether to bring additional counts. Manufacturing or distributing cocaine carries serious felony penalties under both state and federal law. The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until they are proven guilty in a court of law.
