AUGUSTA, Ga. () – The Richmond County Sheriff’s Office arrested 2 people after a year-long drug trafficking investigation.

Starting in August 2024, the RCSO Narcotics Division launched an investigation into a drug trafficking ring led by Tyriquez McFadden in the Augusta-Richmond County region.

On October 24, 2024, with assistance from other divisions, RCSO Investigators carried out a search warrant at McFadden’s home on the 1700 block of Morgan Street.

Following the search, Investigators seized:

• 1,499.3 grams (3.30 pounds) of Fentanyl
• 68.8 grams (0.15 pounds) of Heroin
• 53.0 grams (0.11 pounds) of Cocaine
• 695.3 grams (1.53 pounds) of Marijuana
• 4 Dextroamphetamine pills
• 48 Alprazolam pills
• 9 firearms
• $19,399.00 in U.S. currency

McFadden was not at the home during that search, charges were pending.

Following thorough efforts, on September 7, 2025, Investigators executed a second drug-related search warrant at a house located in the 2500 block of Redoubt Circle.

Once inside, investigators found McFadden and Nichael Lessey, who attempted to barricade themselves inside before being arrested.

Inside the residence, Investigators confiscated:

• 1,035 grams (2.28 pounds) of Fentanyl
• 225.9 grams (0.49 pounds) of Cocaine
• 1 firearm
• $23,470.00 in U.S. currency

The following charges were filed against the suspects:

• Tyriquez McFadden: Trafficking in Fentanyl, Trafficking in Cocaine, Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Crime, and Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon.
• Nichael Lessey: Trafficking in Fentanyl and Trafficking in Cocaine.

Richmond County Sheriff Eugene Brantley highlighted the danger of fentanyl, stating, “Fentanyl is among the most lethal drugs in the U.S. Just two milligrams can be deadly. The fentanyl captured in these investigations alone is equivalent to more than 1.25 million potentially lethal doses, posing a significant threat to every resident of Richmond County multiple times over. Let me emphasize: if you sell drugs in Richmond County, we will find you. We are committed to partnering diligently with the judicial system to make sure those who harm our community are brought to justice and removed from our streets.”

This case remains under active investigation by the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office.