Southwestern regional GBI Office confiscates millions over 13 months

ALBANY, Ga. – It’s been 13 months since Dougherty County became the home to a Georgia Bureau of Investigation Drug Enforcement Unit. The office oversees 41 counties and Dougherty County is their largest. The GBI agents have accomplished a lot in their time in this area.

“We had over 188 cases, made over 100 arrests and we seized 5.4 million in contraband,” says Joe Chesnut, special agent in charge of the Georgia Bureau of Investigation’s Regional Drug Enforcement Office.

Additionally, they’ve seized hundreds of thousands of dollars in vehicles, property and cash.

“All that sounds real great but since COVID-19, we’ve not had any court hearings on any of those civil forfeitures, so those all all still pending.”

COVID-19 has also prevented the department from participating in community outreach programs this year. A service that County Commissioner Anthony Jones says is much needed during this time.

“These young folks are mad, and when they get mad they maintain and handle things. Here we had 14 murders and numerous shootings,” says Jones.

Jones says he hopes the GBI’s growing presence in the community will help deter the crime rate. As the largest area in the departments southwestern region, Chesnut says that his agents are invested in the community.

“32% of all cases that we work were here in Dougherty County and as long as I’m running this office it will continue to be at least 32% or more,” says Chesnut, “Dougherty County is where our office is, the county and the city have made a huge investment in us being here for that building and we will continue to work towards that goal.”