Drug bust removes 7,000 doses of deadly fentanyl from streets of Athens

By Joe Johnson

The recent arrest of a purported drug dealer in Athens led to the discovery of a large quantity of fentanyl, the powerful synthetic opioid that has resulted in numerous overdose deaths in the Athens area.

The incident occurred the afternoon of Dec. 20

when members of the Northeast Georgia Regional

Drug Task Force and the Athens-Clarke County Police Department's Gang Unit arrested Dwan Hewlett, a 40-year-old Hull resident.

The arrest happened when officers located Hewlett at a convenience store at 645 Danielsville Road and a he engaged them in a short foot chase. When officers searched his vehicle they discovered trafficking amounts of fentanyl,

methamphetamine, and cocaine along with packaging material,a digital

scale and a gun with an altered serial number, according to police.

Police indicated that Hewlett possessed nearly five ounces of fentanyl, which amounts to nearly 7,000 potentially fatal doses.

He was charged with trafficking fentanyl, trafficking methamphetamine, trafficking cocaine, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon criminal use of an aricle with an altered ID, obstruction, and possession of a firearm during the commission of certain felonies.

In a news release ACCPD stated its commitment to "removing drug traffickers and dangerous opiates from our community."

The police department asked for anyone with

information about drugs in the community to call the drug tip line at 706-613-3297.