A routine traffic stop in Pickens County on Friday turned into a major drug bust when officers seized roughly a pound of methamphetamine, other drugs and cash from a Norcross man, according to authorities. Investigators said the haul appeared to be part of a suspected shipment headed for north Georgia and western North Carolina, and several local and federal task forces were involved in the stop and follow-up investigation.
In a press release shared via Union County Fire/Rescue & EMA, task force officers said the April 17 stop just off Highway 515 led to the seizure of approximately one pound of methamphetamine, multiple Schedule III controlled substances and nearly $2,000 in cash. Officials said the officers intercepted a significant quantity of narcotics destined for north Georgia and western North Carolina and noted that the investigation remains active and ongoing. Authorities said they plan to release more details as they are able.
Pickens County booking records list the driver as 43-year-old Daryl Gene Ankney of Norcross, who was booked on April 17 on a range of drug-related counts, including trafficking and possession with intent to distribute, as reported by The Georgia Gazette. Court summaries include charges such as manufacture, delivery or distribution of controlled substances and trafficking in methamphetamine. Those public records do not determine guilt, and the case remains under investigation.
Regional Task Forces Stepping Up Interdictions
The bust comes amid a broader push across North Georgia as agencies coordinate on cross-border drug supply routes. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation announced a separate multi-agency operation on April 27 that resulted in arrests and the seizure of several pounds of methamphetamine and other drugs, according to the GBI. Law enforcement officials said task forces are trying to hit shipments before they can be broken down and sold in local communities.
What Authorities Say and What Comes Next
Sheriff Shawn Dyer, quoted in the department release, emphasized that continued cooperation among agencies is critical to keeping illegal narcotics out of local neighborhoods, according to the Union County Fire/Rescue & EMA statement. Officials asked anyone with information about drug trafficking in the area to contact their local sheriff’s office or tip lines and reiterated that the investigation into the Highway 515 stop is ongoing. No additional arrests have been announced so far, and authorities said they will share updates as they become available.
