Alexis Renteria Maldonado, 20, of Sandy Springs, Ga. was arrested after authorities discovered methamphetamine valued at approximately $100,000 Wednesday, Aug. 29 at a residence on Fairmount Highway in the Sonoraville Community according to a press release from the Gordon County Sheriff’s Office.

Maldonado is charged with trafficking in Methamphetamine, manufacturing Methamphetamine, and possession of Marijuana with intent to distribute.

The arrest was made following a joint investigation with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, Georgia State Patrol, ICE, Union County Sheriff’s office, Gordon County Sheriff’s Major Crimes Unit, and deputies from the Community Crime Prevention Unit, who discovered five pounds of raw methamphetamine, also known as ‘ice,’ from an executed search warrant.

A quantity of the methamphetamine was in liquid form, and detectives believe that Maldonado was in the processing of reducing the liquid to solid “ice” form when he was apprehended.

Detectives also believe that Maldonado had been staying at the residence in Sonoraville for less than 24 hours.

The home had been rented by a third party, and detectives do not believe the property owner had any knowledge of the illegal activity.

Evidence to issue the search warrant was developed earlier the same day, and a squad of Sheriff’s detectives, dressed in camouflage, had the home under surveillance for several hours before the arrest was made.

“This was an excellent example of law enforcement teamwork, with satisfying results, and highlights the great relationship my Office enjoys with the GBI, State Patrol, and other Sheriff’s Offices,” said Gordon County Sheriff Mitch Ralston. “I commend all of the agents, troopers, detectives, and deputy sheriffs who participated in this investigation, and I was especially pleased that this operation was not allowed to gain a foothold here before it was taken apart.”