• Task force seizes 270 grams of methamphetamine from Paulding County produce stand
• Drugs hidden among fruit including stash inside Krispy Kreme doughnut bag
• Two arrested with third suspect still wanted on trafficking warrant

PAULDING COUNTY, Ga. (TDR) — A seemingly innocent roadside fruit stand in Paulding County was allegedly serving as a front for a methamphetamine trafficking operation, with investigators discovering drugs hidden in a Krispy Kreme doughnut bag among the produce. The bust followed a months-long investigation sparked by community tips about suspicious activity at the rural highway location.

On Oct. 24, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation‘s Northwest Georgia Drug Task Force, along with the Paulding County Sheriff’s Office SWAT team and K-9 division, executed a search warrant at the stand located at the corner of Highway 92 and Georgia 120. Agents seized 270 grams of methamphetamine hidden among everyday items at the 3100 block of Due West Road location.

Drugs concealed among produce

Investigators found the methamphetamine stashed in various locations throughout the fruit stand, including a quantity tucked inside a Krispy Kreme bag alongside the tomatoes, mangoes and other produce. The concealment strategy was designed to make drug transactions blend in with legitimate sales, according to authorities.

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“You’re going to buy your tomatoes or your fruit or whatever and while you’re buying that, you’re getting a little drugs on the side,” said Jordan Yuodis, spokesperson for the Paulding County Sheriff’s Office. “It blends in, it doesn’t stand out. You’re not just in a gas station parking lot making a hand-to-hand transaction so they thought people wouldn’t catch on.”

Community tips led to bust

The investigation began after the sheriff’s office received tips from concerned community members who reported suspicious activity behind the produce sales at the busy intersection. The months-long probe culminated in coordinated action involving multiple law enforcement divisions.

Authorities arrested Melvin Stevens, 37, charging him with five counts of trafficking methamphetamine and one count of possession. Athena Alloway, 49, faces four counts of trafficking methamphetamine and one count of possession.

Stevens was arrested approximately two miles from the fruit stand location, while Alloway was taken into custody at the stand itself, officials said.

Third suspect remains at large

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A third suspect, Crystal Ballweg, 39, remains wanted on an outstanding warrant for trafficking methamphetamine in connection with the case. The Paulding County Sheriff’s Office is urging anyone with information about Ballweg’s location to contact the warrant division.

Task Force Commander Daniel Nicholson praised the multi-agency effort in a statement. The investigation “reveals to the public the hard work and dedication of the agents assigned to the Northwest Georgia Drug Task Force as well as their commitment to finding those individuals who sell and distribute narcotics and prey on our community members,” Nicholson said.

The Northwest Georgia Drug Task Force encourages residents to report drug-related activities in Haralson, Polk or Paulding counties by calling 770-646-9175.

The fruit stand operation represents one of several recent major drug busts in Paulding County this year as law enforcement agencies intensify efforts to combat methamphetamine trafficking in northwest Georgia communities.

Should roadside produce stands face increased scrutiny from law enforcement?

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