Published: May 15, 2009 08:42 pm      

DEU arrests ‘major’ drug dealer

A Henderson County Drug Enforcement Unit investigation led to the arrest of a Malakoff man Thursday.

Joey Tamojermone Givens, 33, was booked into jail on a charge of manufacture and delivery of cocaine. Bond was set at $25,000.

“Givens is believed to be a major narcotics trafficker for the Trinidad, Malakoff and Athens area,” Sheriff Ray Nutt said.

Sheriff’s Department reports stated the DEU investigation began after Givens was stopped on State Highway 31 in Malakoff for a traffic violation. At the stop, Lieutenant Botie Hillhouse and Investigator Darrell Waller found a large quantity of crack cocaine in Given’s possession.

Further investigation produced probable cause for a search warrant, issued by 392nd District Court Judge Carter Tarrance. Investigators searched Givens’ unit at the Wheeler Apartments on Sunset Street in Malakoff. There they located and seized a total amount of about one-quarter-pound of cocaine .

DEU investigators involved in the case included: Ronny Halbert, David Faught, Kenny Collard and Darrell Waller. They were assisted by Hillhouse, Captain Kay Langford and members of District Attorney Scott McKee’s Office.