Traffic Stop Leads to Narcotics Arrest in Gilmer County, Georgia

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Cherokee County Sheriff's Office

Press Release

Two Cherokee County residents were arrested in Gilmer County, Georgia, following a joint investigation involving the Cherokee County Sheriff's Office (NC), Union County Sheriff's Office (GA), and Gilmer County Sheriff's Office (GA).

Agents with the Cherokee County Sheriff's Office Narcotics Division determined that Anthony Ray and Teua Johnson were using a rental vehicle to travel to Georgia and transport illegal narcotics back into Cherokee County. Based on that information, investigators requested assistance from their Georgia law enforcement partners.

On June 17, 2026, deputies with the Gilmer County Sheriff's Office conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle. During the stop, law enforcement recovered suspected fentanyl. As a result, both Anthony Ray and Teua Johnson were taken into custody.

Anthony Joe Ray, 39, of Murphy, was charged with:

• Felony Possession of a Schedule II Controlled Substance

• Outstanding warrant from Cherokee County, Georgia

Teua Rae Johnson, 37, of Murphy, was charged with:

• Felony Possession of a Schedule II Controlled Substance

• Outstanding warrant from Cherokee County, Georgia

Sheriff Chris Wood stated: "As we have said in the past, we cannot do what we do without the help of our partner agencies throughout the region. I am thankful for the collaboration between agencies that results in the removal of the poison that flows into our communities."

All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.