Community Corner

Drugs, Illegal Immigrant Raid at Goodyear Plant in Walton County

Officials from WCSO said one person was charged with drug offense and ICE officials are investigating 12 alleged cases of fraudulent documentation.

According to a statement released by Goodyear Vice President of Corporate Communications, a joint operation was conducted on July 10 at the Goodyear Plant in Social Circle by the company’s global security and Walton County Sheriff’s Office. 

Capt. Greg Hall with the WCSO said that as a result of the raid, 12 cases of alleged fraudulent documentation and one drug offense were uncovered.

“ICE agents are investigating the documentation offenses,” Hall said, adding it was a case that had been under investigation for a long time. “The investigation involved forged documents from a temporary agency – that is the ICE investigation. The drug charge by us was a misdemeanor drug charge.”

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According to the statement by Goodyear, potential illegal activity at the company’s tread rubber manufacturing facility in social circle had been discovered and WCSO was called in to assist in the investigation.

“The search was performed following an undercover investigation for narcotics and potential immigration violations by an outside contractor. Goodyear’s response reflects its commitment to sustaining a safe working environment for all its associates. Goodyear associates are assisting and cooperating with local law enforcement. Production at the plant has not been disrupted,” the statement read in part.

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This is not the first time that Goodyear has called in authorities on potential drug activity at one of its plants. According to a television report from WDTV in North Carolina, in 2010 Goodyear solicited the help of local authorities from Fayetteville, NC in exposing illegal drug activity among employees at its Fayetteville plant.


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