Two illegals busted on drug charges

On the evening of March 2, investigators with the Holmes County Sheriff’s Office, Chipley Police Department and Florida Highway Patrol Contraband Interdiction Unit teamed up with the Jackson County Drug Task Force on an investigation of drug activity in the Malone and Greenwood areas.

During the investigation it was learned that there was to be a delivery of methamphetamine in the Greenwood area.
Officers stopped the suspect vehicle near the Dollar General Store in Greenwood. In the vehicle, two Hispanic males were found to be in possession of approximately four ounces of Ice, a highly concentrated form of methamphetamine with a street value of more than $11,000.

The two men, identified as Elicio Rodriguez and Joel Pineda, were living at 6115 Hwy. 2 in Bascom, were arrested and charged with trafficking methamphetamine. Rodriguez and Pineda were found to be in the United States illegally.  Immigration and Customs Enforcement were notified. A hold for deportation notice will be placed on the two men after they answer to the charges against them.

HCSO Chief Deputy John Braxton said the case was initiated in Holmes County and the other agencies were contacted.