Two More Arrests in Operation Avalanche

The Oconee County Sheriff’s Office announces two additional arrests in “Operation Avalanche,” an investigation into the distribution and trafficking of methamphetamine in Oconee County. In the months leading up to the operation, agents from the Narcotics Unit were able to determine that over 2,000 pounds of methamphetamine had made its way through Oconee County with destinations reaching other parts of the Upstate and the southeast. Based upon the evidence obtained in the investigation, the Oconee County Sheriff’s Office began the operation on Feb. 8, with the execution of four search warrants in the Seneca area, which led to the seizure of firearms, cash and around two pounds of additional narcotics. The latest arrestees are 22-year-old Maria Nichole Evans of Seneca for conspiracy to traffic in methamphetamine and trafficking in methamphetamine and 30-year-old Dean Vernon Dreibelbis, Jr. of Seneca for trafficking in methamphetamine. So far, 13 people have been arrested as part of “Operation Avalanche”. The Oconee County Sheriff’s Office is continuing their investigation.