K9 Team Busts Alleged Drug Trafficker: 3 Pounds of Meth Seized

Rabun County deputies charged Lynda Welch of Clayton with trafficking meth following a lengthy investigation.Photo byRabun County Sheriff's Office

A long-term drug investigation resulted in a drug trafficking arrest Tuesday, April 23, as Rabun County Sheriff’s Office (RCSO) K9 deputies tracked a suspect vehicle back to Rabun County from Atlanta, according to a press release from the Rabun County Sheriff’s Office.

K9 deputies had been following the movements of several vehicles visiting known drug homes around Rabun County, investigators say. Surveillance and other investigative methods identified one vehicle as making routine trips out of state and to Atlanta.

A 2004 Lexus ES 300 belonging to Lynda Welch, 41, of Clayton, was seen heading back to Rabun County Tuesday evening, says RCSO Investigator Kevin Angell. He says K9 deputies observed the vehicle with an equipment violation and conducted a traffic stop on US 441 at East Wolf Creek Road.

"A K9 alert on the vehicle led to a search of the driver and passenger compartment areas. Hidden inside a dog bed, Welch had concealed more than 3 pounds of methamphetamine," the release states.

A stash of meth weighing 3.142 pounds authorities say they discovered in Welch’s vehicle during a traffic stop on April 23, 2024.Photo byRabun County Sheriff's Office

Welch was arrested and charged with trafficking in methamphetamine. Deputies booked her at the Rabun County Detention Center.

“These long-term investigations show our commitment to fighting against the drug epidemic here in Rabun County,” says Rabun County Sheriff Chad Nichols. “The credit here goes to our K9 deputies and K9 Spike for helping rid our community of a large amount of methamphetamine brought into the area”.