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Two Dalton men arrested on drug charges

Investigators from the Lookout Mountain Judicial Circuit Drug Task Force and other area law enforcement agencies seized about $250,000 worth of "Ice" methamphetamine Wednesday night as part of a months-long undercover operation. Officers arrested five people in Chattooga County on Wednesday in connection with the investigation.
Investigators from the Lookout Mountain Judicial Circuit Drug Task Force and other area law enforcement agencies seized about $250,000 worth of "Ice" methamphetamine Wednesday night as part of a months-long undercover operation. Officers arrested five people in Chattooga County on Wednesday in connection with the investigation. Investigators from the Lookout Mountain Judicial Circuit Drug Task Force and other area law enforcement agencies seized about $250,000 worth of "Ice" methamphetamine Wednesday night as part of a months-long undercover operation. Officers arrested five people in Chattooga County on Wednesday in connection with the investigation.

By Staff Report 2 min read

photo Mark Hankins
photo Timothy Ezelle

Whitfield County investigators arrested two men Wednesday on drug charges in Dalton, Ga.

In May, the Whitfield County Sheriff’s Office received information that two men (both on probation/parole) living in Dalton were distributing large amounts of methamphetamine.

The suspects were identified as Mark Hankins, 47, and Timothy Ezelle, 54. Several hours of surveillance were conducted on the individuals and their residences.

On Wednesday, detectives with the Whitfield County Sheriff’s Office and agents from the state probation/parole searched the two residences occupied by the suspects. At Hankins’ residence at 899 East Summit Drive officers discovered more than a pound of methamphetamine, a quantity of marijuana, mushrooms, assorted pills in violation of the controlled substance act, two firearms, smoking pipes and other items, including over $2000 cash.

Investigators and state officers then traveled to Ezelle’s residence located at 121 Fairway Drive. Upon entering the residence, methamphetamine and marijuana were found on his person, and while conducting a search of the residence additional bags of methamphetamine and marijuana were discovered. Also found were digital scales used to weigh the drugs and smoking devices.

Both Hankins and Ezelle were arrested on multiple drug charges. Hankins was also charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

The street value of the illegal narcotics seized is over $50,000.

Both suspects are being held at the Whitfield County Jail without bond.