UNION COUNTY, Ga. – A regional drug trafficking investigation spanning North Carolina and North Georgia has resulted in the seizure of methamphetamine and fentanyl that authorities say could have ended up in communities across both states.

What we know:

Law enforcement agencies from Cherokee County, North Carolina, and the Georgia counties of Union, Gilmer and Fannin worked together on the operation, which targeted suspected drug traffickers operating throughout the region.

Investigators said the effort led to the recovery of more than three ounces of methamphetamine and roughly half an ounce of fentanyl. Authorities believe the narcotics were destined for distribution in North Carolina and Georgia.

Two people, identified as Forest Shane Lynn and Starla Normand, were arrested June 22 and charged with narcotics trafficking.

Officials said Gilmer County’s newly deployed K-9, Ruckus, assisted during the investigation and helped officers locate evidence connected to the case.

Agencies highlight regional cooperation

What they’re saying:

Law enforcement leaders credited the outcome to cooperation between agencies that routinely work together to combat drug trafficking across county and state lines.

Authorities said information from the public, combined with intelligence gathered by investigators, helped officers identify and disrupt the alleged trafficking operation before the drugs reached local streets.

Investigators noted that fentanyl remains one of the most dangerous substances encountered by law enforcement because even small amounts can be deadly.

Investigation remains ongoing

What’s next:

Officials say they remain focused on identifying and arresting people responsible for bringing illegal drugs into the region.

The investigation involved members of the Union County Safe Streets Task Force, Cherokee County narcotics agents and deputies from Gilmer County. Authorities have not said whether additional arrests are expected.

The Georgia Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big.

Here’s a look at June 23, 2026, results for each game:

Winning Mega Millions numbers from June 23 drawing

48-51-60-63-66, Mega Ball: 20

Check Mega Millions payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Cash 3 numbers from June 23 drawing

Midday: 3-5-4

Evening: 2-8-8

Night: 7-7-6

Check Cash 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Cash 4 numbers from June 23 drawing

Midday: 4-6-6-1

Evening: 2-3-2-0

Night: 3-3-7-3

Check Cash 4 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Cash Pop numbers from June 23 drawing

Early Bird: 07

Matinee: 13

Drive Time: 08

Primetime: 15

Night Owl: 10

Check Cash Pop payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Georgia FIVE numbers from June 23 drawing

Midday: 6-9-7-7-0

Evening: 2-9-6-0-6

Check Georgia FIVE payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Fantasy 5 numbers from June 23 drawing

07-12-13-33-39

Check Fantasy 5 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Millionaire for Life numbers from June 23 drawing

06-17-34-39-57, Bonus: 05

Check Millionaire for Life payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your prize

• Prizes under $601: Can be claimed at any Georgia Lottery retail location. ALL PRIZES can be claimed by mail to: Georgia Lottery Corporation, P.O. Box 56966, Atlanta, GA 30343.
• Prizes over $600: Must be claimed at Georgia Lottery Headquarters or any Georgia Lottery district office or mailed to the Georgia Lottery for payment.

FORT STEWART, Ga. – An Army sergeant was sentenced to life in a military prison Tuesday for shootings last summer that wounded five people at a base in Georgia.

A military judge at Fort Stewart sentenced Sgt. Quornelius Radford to life with a possibility of parole, local news outlets reported, after a court-martial last week in which the soldier was convicted of attempted murder.

Army prosecutors accused Radford, 29, of targeting leaders of his supply unit when he opened fire with a personal handgun last August. He wounded four fellow soldiers and his then-fiance, Raekwon Smith, who testified he was shot after following Radford onto Fort Stewart fearing the soldier was suicidal.

Radford admitted to carrying out the shootings in March when he pleaded guilty to charges of aggravated assault and domestic violence. But he insisted he never intended to kill anyone as Army prosecutors pressed ahead with trying Radford on charges of attempted murder.

Trial witnesses described how Radford, a supply sergeant in the 3rd Infantry Division’s 2nd Armored Brigade, walked to two offices and a conference room as he shot four soldiers. He was apprehended by military police after being restrained and disarmed by fellow soldiers.

Radford’s sentence also included a dishonorable discharged and a reduction in rank to private.

Army prosecutors had asked the judge to sentence Radford to life without parole. The soldier’s defense attorneys sought a lighter sentence, arguing that the shootings occurred while Radford was having a mental health crisis and that he has accepted responsibility for his actions.

One of the defense lawyers read a statement from Radford in which he apologized to each of the victims, said he was grateful they survived and asked forgiveness.

During Radford’s trial, a doctor from the Army hospital on Fort Stewart testified that one of the injured soldiers was shot in the face and another in the chest, while bullets stuck other victims in the back and abdomen.

Victims testified during Radford’s sentencing hearing that they’re still recovering, physically and emotionally. Two of them have left the Army.

Radford opted for his trial to be decided by a military judge rather than a jury of soldiers.