Officers nab suspected dealer
By Elizabeth Billips lizbillips@yahoo.com

Richmond County officer Robbie Harrison and his drug dog Selly check vehicles in front of the Eighth Street residence of suspect James Wright's grandmother. Marijuana, ecstasy and paraphernalia were found inside Wright's Apartment, as well as his grandmother's.

Investigators kicked in the door of a Hale Street apartment last Wednesday and arrested a suspected dealer.

Thomas Wesley Wright, 25, was taken into custody after officers and drug dogs found marijuana, ecstasy and two pistols in his residence.

According to Burke County deputies, who assisted the Richmond County Narcotics Unit, Wright became the subject of an investigation after the unit made a controlled buy from him.

After finding drugs in his Hale Street home, they also searched his grandmother's Eighth Street residence where he was suspected of dealing.

There, they found more marijuana and ecstasy, as well as loose prescription pills, grinders, baggies and scales.

Collectively, 40-50 ecstasy pills were recovered.

"We believe his grandmother had knowledge of the drugs, but wasn't involved with them," Sgt. Matt Raulerson, an investigator for the Burke County Sheriff's Office said. "We're sending a case file to the District Attorney, and he'll decide whether to charge her."

Wright was booked into Burke County Jail on charges of possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, possession of methylenedioxymethamphetamine (ectsacy) with intent to distribute and possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime.