Convenience stores, homes raided in drug and fraud bust

GRIFFIN, Ga. — Authorities raided several Griffin convenience stores and homes during a bust Thursday morning.

Several people were arrested and are facing charges from welfare fraud to drug sales.

Channel 2’s Nicole Carr was the only reporter there when authorities from Spalding County and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation were taking boxes of evidence away.

Griffin police say their investigation began in September 2016, looking into the businesses for EBT fraud.

They then turned their attention to gambling crimes and drug sales, bringing Spalding County, the GBI, USDA, Inspector General and lottery commission into the mix. On Thursday their raids included the storeowners' nearby homes.

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"Are you kidding me? I mean, seriously?" customer Robert Copeland said.

Authorities alluded that some customers may have provided tips, and some may also face charges.

"Some of them have (been cheated) and some of them might be involved in that. So that's why there may be several more to come," Griffin police Lt. Michael Natale said.

Cox Media Group