Staff Writer
rseaborn@pickenssentinel.com
PICKENS - Three men and one juvenile were arrested Friday following an early morning roundup that followed a three-year undercover investigation by Pickens Police Department officials.
The department, assisted by the Pickens County Sheriff's Office, served search warrants on two homes after the agency made numerous controlled drug buys during the investigation into the illicit problems plaguing the Booth, Morris and Burchfield Streets area, Police Chief Tommy Ellenburg said.
Twelve warrants were served on four suspects, with service of ten additional warrants pending on three other men wanted in connection with drug trafficking in the area, he said.
During the operation, police were also able to seize $26,000 and two handguns, Ellenburg said.
Between 30 and 35 officers from both departments were involved in the operation, he said.
"Everyone involved in this case worked really hard over the last three years," Ellenburg said. "We appreciate the assistance from the Sheriff's Office - their narcotics investigators and their SERT team."
Lewis Welford Gowens, 54, of 105 Burchfield Street, was arrested and charged with third offenses of four counts of the distribution of crack cocaine and four counts of distribution of crack cocaine near a school.
Thomas Clevelenad Land, 29, of 114 Booth Street, was arrested on two charges of distribution of crack cocaine and distribution of crack cocaine near a school.
James Thomas Pitts, of Pickens, was charged with possession of drug paraphernalia.
A minor has been charged with possession of a controlled substance, simple possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia and the unlawful possession of a handgun.
The department is holding additional warrants for three men who have fled the area, Ellenburg said.
Law enforcement is looking for Darnell "Dodie" Russell, 31; David Darnell Niebes, 21; and Andre Cornelious Land, 29, all of Pickens, he said.
"We are asking for the support from the community as we continue this investigation," Ellenburg said. "The community must be involved if they want to clean the streets up.
"This is not just a police problem, it's a community problem," he said. "We need for individuals with information to step forward and share their knowledge with us."
Ellenburg said the intensive work the two agencies dedicated to the investigation over the past years paid off with Friday's arrests.
"The ongoing battle against drugs is worth the time and effort we put into this," he said.
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