Athens fentanyl trafficker indicted

By Joe Johnson

Darren Henry Turner, 57, of Freeman Drive, has been indicted on trafficking and firearms charges.

He is charged with trafficking fentanyl, possession with intent to distribute diazepam and fentanyl, and multiple counts of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, according to the indictment filed in Superior Court.

The charges stem from Turner’s arrest in July and as the result of a months-long investigation by the Northeast Georgia Regional Drug Task Force into a local fentanyl distribution ring during which search warrants were executed at three locations tied to Turner—including his residence, a local hotel room, and a storage unit.

The raids yielded significant seizures:

 — A trafficking quantity of fentanyl

 — Four firearms

— Four vehicles allegedly used to facilitate the trafficking scheme

 — Approximately $74,000 in cash

Turner is being held without bail pending his arraignment next month.