JOHN GHIRARDINI
Copyright 2006 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
A tip from an alert resident led Lilburn police to a truckload of marijuana with an estimated street value of $14.3 million.
Lilburn police said 3,168 pounds of marijuana and 2 pounds of methamphetamine valued at $102,000 were seized at a house at 258 Greenwood Drive early Tuesday.
Four vehicles valued at $37,500 also were seized.
Lilburn police spokesman Sgt. Tyler Thomas said an unidentified person called police at 9:43 p.m. Monday and reported a suspicious box truck backed up to the house’s garage.
A Lilburn officer went to the scene and saw two men, who immediately fled into woods behind the house.
A search was conducted using K-9s from both Lilburn and the Gwinnett Sheriff’s Department, as well as the county police helicopter, but the men weren’t found, Thomas said.
Officers found bales of marijuana stacked from floor to ceiling in the open truck, he said.
After police obtained a search warrant, the methamphetamine, additional marijuana and a handgun were found in the house, Thomas said.
“This is the biggest drug bust in recent memory,” he said. “We’re elated to get this much drugs off the street, and we’re grateful a citizen was observant.”
The neighbor thought a burglary might be in progress, Thomas said. He said the bust was not part of an ongoing investigation.
Thomas said Tuesday that police are still searching for the two men who fled.
April 19, 2006