Pedro Valencia-Barragan
Astoria Garcia
Two men were arrested on drug charges Thursday in Whitfield County, according to Sheriff Scott Chitwood.
The Whitfield County Sheriff's Office Narcotics Unit recently received information that Pedro Valencia-Barragan, 40, also known as Peter Barragan, was suspected of distributing methamphetamine in Whitfield County and the surrounding North Georgia area. After investigators found Valencia-Barragan's residence was in Calhoun, Ga., the Calhoun Police Department was notified and a joint investigation was initiated.
On Thursday, investigators discovered Valencia-Barragan was planning on receiving a large shipment of methamphetamine from his supplier and delivering a large quantity of meth to the Dalton, Ga., area. Surveillance was conducted on Valencia-Barragan's residence in Calhoun and investigators identified a suspect, Victor Astoria Garcia, 35, of Lawrenceville, Ga., as being Valencia-Barragan's alleged source for methamphetamine.
Officers observed Valencia-Barragan and Garcia leave the residence in a 2004 white Nissan Quest and travel toward Whitfield County. Officers conducted a stop of the vehicle at South Dixie Road and Carbondale Road in Whitfield County and a search of the vehicle resulted in more than two pounds of methamphetamine with a street value of about $75,000 being recovered, as well as some marijuana. Investigators returned to Calhoun and conducted a search of Valencia-Barragan's residence and additional methamphetamine and marijuana was found.
Valencia-Barragan and Victor A. Garcia were arrested and both were charged with possession of methamphetamine, possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and trafficking in methamphetamine. Valencia-Barragan was additionally charged with use of communication facilities for drug transactions and possession of marijuana. Both suspects are currently on parole for previous trafficking in methamphetamine convictions and are being held in the Whitfield County Jail.