Executive Summary
- Joint operation by Ben Hill County Sheriff’s Office and Fitzgerald Police executed on Feb. 18, 2026.
- Search warrant served at a residence on West Orange Street yielded a firearm and narcotics.
- Seized items included a meth/fentanyl mixture, marijuana, and distribution paraphernalia.
- One wanted individual was taken into custody; the investigation remains ongoing.
BEN HILL COUNTY, Ga. — A coordinated law enforcement operation conducted on February 18, 2026, has resulted in the arrest of a wanted individual and the confiscation of a firearm and controlled substances. The operation was a joint effort between the Ben Hill County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) and the Fitzgerald Police Department, targeting a specific residence identified through ongoing surveillance and investigative work.
According to the Ben Hill County Sheriff’s Office, the raid was executed by the Sheriff’s Office Special Operations Division and Uniform Patrol Division, with tactical assistance from Fitzgerald Police. Authorities served a search warrant at a home located in the 200 block of West Orange Street. This location had been the subject of prior scrutiny by the Special Operations Division regarding alleged illicit activity.
During the search of the premises, investigators reported the recovery of a firearm, approximately one-half ounce of a mixture containing methamphetamine and fentanyl, and 3.5 grams of marijuana. Additionally, law enforcement officials located multiple items indicative of drug trafficking, including materials used for weighing, packaging, and distributing controlled substances. The identity of the individual arrested has not yet been released pending formal processing.
Investigative Outlook
This operation underscores the continued strategic focus of local law enforcement on dismantling distribution networks involving high-risk narcotics like fentanyl. The discovery of packaging materials alongside the narcotics suggests that the location may have served as a node for local distribution rather than merely for personal use. By pooling resources, the Ben Hill County Sheriff’s Office and Fitzgerald Police Department aim to mitigate the public safety risks associated with the proliferation of mixed-substance narcotics in the community. Authorities have stated that the investigation remains active and urge anyone with relevant information to contact the Sheriff’s Office tip line.
It is important to note that all individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
