Joint Hiawassee, Towns County Unit Reports Results After Six Months

HIAWASSEE, Ga. — The Specialized Criminal Operations Unit, a joint partnership between the Hiawassee Police Department and the Towns County Sheriff’s Office, has recorded multiple arrests, search warrants and ongoing investigations in its first six months of operation, officials said.

According to a summary released by the Hiawassee Police Department, the unit — known as S.C.O.U.T. — has made four large narcotics arrests, executed five search warrants, made a total of 12 arrests, provided nine agency assists and has seven cases that remain open.

Officials noted that many of the unit’s cases involve complex investigations that can take months to develop. The partnership was formed to combine resources from the city police department and the county sheriff’s office for specialized criminal enforcement efforts.

“This collaboration proves that when local law enforcement works hand-in-hand, our whole community is safer,” the Hiawassee Police Department said in a statement thanking the officers and deputies assigned to the unit for their work in Towns County.

The departments have previously conducted joint operations under the S.C.O.U.T. banner, including efforts targeting illegal sales of intoxicating hemp and cannabis-type products as well as multi-agency drug investigations.