DADE COUNTY, Ga. — A traffic stop on Highway 136 East led to the seizure of approximately 13.2 pounds of cocaine and 2.2 pounds of fentanyl, according to the Dade County Sheriff’s Office.

Dade County deputies conducted the traffic stop Thursday, Oct. 8, near the intersection of Highway 136 East and McKaig Loop. During the stop, deputies, along with troopers from the Georgia State Patrol’s Interdiction Unit, located the suspected narcotics concealed behind the dashboard of the vehicle.

Martin Antonio Nolasco-Guzman of El Tumbador, Guatemala, was taken into custody in connection with the seizure.

Nolasco-Guzman faces the following charges:

• Trafficking in cocaine, six counts, O.C.G.A. § 16-13-31
• Trafficking in fentanyl, O.C.G.A. § 16-13-31
• Brake light requirements, O.C.G.A. § 40-8-25
• Vehicle with false or secret compartment, O.C.G.A. § 16-11-112

Dade County Sheriff Ray Cross praised the deputies and troopers involved in the investigation and seizure.

“Our Deputies work day and night answering calls, helping citizens, monitoring traffic, and catching criminals,” Cross said. “They do it every single day, and never ask for recognition.”

Cross said the seizure potentially prevented the drugs from reaching the community.

“There is no telling how many lives were potentially saved by getting this poison off our streets, and out of our communities,” he said. “Every ounce of illegal drugs that we seize, makes a difference. I am so proud of our guys and girls. We truly have the best deputies on earth!”