Spalding County Sheriff Dee Stewart has reported that agents from his office have arrested a Griffin man, Cameron Ammons, on drug-related charges and recovered more than $20,000 of suspected drug money.

Authorities say Ammons’ June 11 arrest, which is what led to the later recovery of the money, resulted from complaints the Special Operations Unit had received alleging possible drug-related activity at 125 Lakeside Drive.

“The Special Operations Unit had received numerous complaints of possible illegal and narcotic drugs being sold from that residence,” said Capt. Novin Darsey. “On June 11, agents from the Spalding County Sheriff’s Office Special Operations Unit arrested Cameron Benjamin Ammons, of 125 Lakeside Drive, for possession of Schedule II narcotics and drugs outside of the original container. It was 44 Oxycodone pills — they were in an unmarked pill bottle.”

Officials say the suspected drug money was recovered the following day.

“On June 12, 2009, Special Agent Keith Massengale obtained a search warrant for that address,” Darsey said. “During the execution of that search warrant, approximately $20,391 was located in the residence. From information obtained during the investigation, the money is believed to be proceeds from drug transactions. This currency is in the process of being seized.”

Darsey said drug money that is seized is used to pay for training and equipment for the Spalding County Sheriff’s Office.

“We take it before the district attorney and judge and they put an order out so we can seize the money,” said Stewart, explaining how seized money is being put to use to fight the ongoing war on drugs. “It then comes back to us. It helps out. Any time we can seize (drug) money like that, it helps the county budget.”