A trash-pickup effort held in Ludowici picked up more than just trash on Nov. 7. A loaded pistol also was found.

Local business owner Sean Tucker, who organized the event, said that as the group cleaned the roads and ditches, the pistol was found on the side of Highway 84. Tucker said that once it was discovered, the group contacted the Ludowici Police Department to report what they found.

Police Chief Robert Poppell said Capt. Travis Thomas responded to the call and took possession of the weapon.

Thomas said the pistol was a .380-caliber ACP Bersa Thunder with a loaded clip. He said from the appearance of the gun, it had been embedded in the ground and in the elements for an extended period of time. Thomas took the gun back to the police station and secured it.

Poppell said the serial number on the side of the pistol had been scratched off, but was able to be obtained from its interior. He said that the information on the gun was ran through the National Crime Information Center, but no results had been discovered as of last week. He said the weapon also was entered in the national registry in an effort to find out if it had been reported stolen, lost or is being investigated in any crime.

Tucker said he was very happy that the clean-up effort discovered the gun, and that he appreciated the families who helped pick up trash.