Late afternoon on Friday, calls began coming into the newspaper office that several convenience stores had been taped off with yellow crime scene tape, and law enforcement vehicles with flashing lights were on scene.
According to the Freestone County Sheriff’s Office, three simultaneous search warrants were run on three local businesses inside Fairfield city limits on August 5, 2022.
“These search warrants were issued following an approximate two-month investigation into the trafficking of illegal substances that were found to being sold through each of the stores,” said County Sheriff Jeremy Shipley in a media release issued later that same day.
Search warrants were served at the following locations:
–Northwest corner of Commerce (Hwy 84) and Hall (above)
–Southwest corner of Commerce and Fairway (Hwy 84 & 75) (above)
–North on Commerce between Old Mexia Road and Berry Street (pictured at top)
According to the County Sheriff Shipley, each one of the three stores was found to be selling products containing THC that was over the legal limit that is allowed by law in the state of Texas.
“The illegal products were removed by law enforcement at all the stores during the investigation process and will be secured as evidence for the judicial proceedings,” said Shipley.
“This investigation is important to us because it started based on information that the items were being sold to our youth in the county,” continued Sheriff Shipley. “Kids from Teague and Fairfield knew they could come to these stores to buy their vape pens and other products that contained an illegal amount of THC in the product.”
Five individuals (3 Males/2 Females) have been arrested and charged with the following Felony charges :
–Manufacturing/Delivery of Controlled Substance Penalty Group 2 or 2A >= 4 grams < 400 grams
–Delivery of Marijuana > ¼ ounce <= 5 pounds
–Engaging in Organized Criminal Activity
(One of the male individuals was also charged with Failure to Identify)
One other male was charged with 2 Felony offenses of :
–Manufacturing/Delivery of Controlled Substance Penalty Group 2 or 2A >= 4 grams < 400 grams
–Delivery of Marijuana > ¼ ounce <= 5 pounds
(6 Total Arrests at this time)
The Freestone County Sheriff’s Office will also be seeking further arrest warrants for other individuals involved.
This is an on-going investigation.
“The FCSO would like to thank our District Attorney’s Office and DA Investigator McGhee, Pct. 3 Constable McGowan, and Texas DPS, for their assistance in executing the search warrants,” said Sheriff Jeremy Shipley.
