From staff reports

Lamar County Sheriff Larry Waller announced Saturday that officials in his office on Friday arrested Reginald Tamplin, 32, a firefighter with the Spalding County Fire Department; Virginia Ann Tamplin, 60; David Thomas Tamplin, 63; and Shemika Sullivan, 24, of 137 Banks Road, Barnesville.

The four were charged with trafficking in crack cocaine, trafficking in powdered cocaine, possession of marijuana with the intent to distribute and possession of firearms during the commission of a felony.

Trafficking cocaine is defined under state and federal law as possession of 28 grams - one ounce - or more of cocaine.

Investigators from the Lamar County Sheriff’s Office, the Barnesville Police Department, the Griffin Police Department’s Special Investigations Unit, agents of the Multi-County Drug Task Force and agents from the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) worked cooperatively to apprehend the suspects in Lamar County.

Three vehicles, multiple firearms, approximately 10 ounces of crack and powdered cocaine and approximately 22 ounces of marijuana were seized based upon a search warrant issued by officers and signed by Superior Court Judge Tommy Wilson based upon probable cause that illegal drugs were present at the residence.

The arrests were the result of a continuing investigation and cooperation by the law enforcement agencies. Other charges are pending for these individuals and also for other suspects in the drug operation. These charges will be reported when they are made.

Waller commended all the investigators and agents that worked to make the arrests.

“We have a serious drug problem here now and we plan to make many more arrests of this type,” Waller said. “People in Lamar County are tired of the criminals who bring drugs here, make a profit for themselves and leave our children and families to suffer from drug effects. If you know of drug dealers, turn them in and we will get them too.”