The Liberty County Sheriff’s Office has arrested a Fort Stewart soldier on drug trafficking charges, according to Maj. Jeff Hein of the LCSO Drug Task Force.
Pvt. First Class Mario Figueroa was arrested in Liberty County and is charged with trafficking cocaine, according to Hein, who said the arrest is the result of a 90-day investigation by LCSO, Fort Stewart’s Criminal Investigation Division and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency.
Hein said Tuesday more arrests are expected.
According to Liberty County Jail records, Figueroa was booked April 13.
Also Tuesday, Fort Stewart announced the “apprehension” on post of several soldiers by CID as part of an investigation between Army and local law enforcement officers regarding the possession, use and sale of cocaine.
CID spokesman Chris Grey confirmed the apprehension but would not say how many soldiers were apprehended and no names were provided. Charges have not yet been filed against the soldiers, Grey said.
“We dedicate resources and work closely with our
local law enforcement partners to identify and suppress illegal drug use in our ranks.” said Maj. Gen. James Rainey, senior commander of Fort Stewart-Hunter Army Airfield. “We take this seriously, and we will continue to do everything we can to ensure our Army and communities are drug free.”
Though the Army release was short on details, it said “close cooperation between federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, Fort Stewart’s drug prevention and detection programs resulted in these arrests.”
“There are over 25,000 men and women serving in the Army at Fort Stewart and Hunter Army Airfield who selflessly defend our country every day,” Rainey said. “This incident does not diminish their hard work and sacrifices.”