Based on information obtained through a narcotics investigation, officers with the Griffin Police Department, including members of the Crime Suppression Unit (CSU), the Special Response Team (SRT) and the Special Investigations Unit (SIU), on Tuesday executed a search warrant at 213 N. First St., which led to the arrest of Lamar Jackson as well as the recovery of a quantity of crack cocaine.

As a result of neighborhood complaints, Cpl. Heather Burbrink and members of the CSU had been involved in an ongoing investigation of 32-year-old Rodney Jackson and associates of his who were alleged to be selling drugs from the residence.

“When the Griffin PD arrived, Lamar Jackson, the 25-year-old brother of Rodney Jackson, fled to the interior of the residence, as Cpl. Luke Fletcher, Cpl. Bryan Clanton and Sgt. Curtis Keys pursued him,” said Clanton, SRT member and department spokesman. “While fleeing, Lamar Jackson locked the burglar bars and the front door to the house behind him.”

After officers gained entry by breaching the two locked doors, Fletcher said he observed Lamar Jackson with his hand in the toilet, allegedly attempting to dispose of evidence.

“As other team members cleared the house and detained Rodney Jackson, Fletcher attempted to shut the toilet off to preserve the evidence,” Clanton said.

“It was obvious to me that Lamar Jackson thought he could flush his dope in front of me and not be arrested,” Fletcher said.

However, officers were able to recover the evidence utilizing a unique procedure.

“Implementing a technique first used during Operation Control-Alt-Delete, members of the Griffin PD and Griffin Wastewater sent a camera down the sewage line to locate the drugs. Due to the distance the drugs had traveled, the officers were not able to use a device built by them to pull the contraband back out. However, the evidence was recovered by penetrating the sewer pipe in the back yard. Several bags of crack cocaine flushed by Lamar Jackson were removed,” Clanton said.

SRT Commander Lt. Darrell Dix said previous experience led officers to the technique used Tuesday to recover the drugs.

“There was a time when a drug dealer only had to flush his supply to avoid arrest. Now, they have to realize that this will not stop us, and through trial and error, we have the equipment and techniques to chase the contraband through a sewage line,” Dix said.

Though effective, the technique is physically demanding and can be considered nothing less than dirty work.

“The evidence recovery technique is not by any means glamorous, but it does demonstrate that we will not be deterred during the apprehension of drug dealers,” Clanton said.

Lamar Jackson was arrested by Burbrink and charged with possession of cocaine, obstruction of an officer, tampering with evidence and possession of cocaine with intent to distribute. He is being held in the Spalding County Jail.