VALDOSTA — A two-year investigation and help from the community led to three arrests around a Lowndes County drug ring, according to the sheriff’s office.

Kendrick Bradley, 40, of Valdosta, Hector Gonzalez Becerra of Edinburg, Texas, and Isaac Gonzales, 62, also of Edinburg were arrested by the Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office’s Special Operations Division, according to a statement from the sheriff’s office.

The investigation, which started in 2017, led to the arrest of numerous associates of the local organization, the statement said.

In December 2018, one suspect had been identified as a major supplier of cocaine in the Valdosta area, the statement said. Investigators determined his supply chain reached back to Texas.

According to authorities, Bradley was arrested on cocaine charges in February.

On Feb. 21, after receiving a tip, investigators got a search warrant for a home on Greenlee Street in Valdosta, and found three kilograms of cocaine, along with some of the cocaine that had been manufactured into “crack,” according to the sheriff’s office.

Investigators identified a suspect as the supplier of the cocaine and warrants were issued, the statement said.

Saturday, Becerra and Gonzales were taken to the sheriff’s office for questioning. A vehicle was impounded and a search of the car found three more kilograms of cocaine and a loaded firearm, according to the statement.

Bradley is charged with trafficking in cocaine, possession of cocaine, possession of a substance with intent to use or convey substance for manufacture of Schedule I or II drugs and possession of tools for the commission of a crime; Gonzales is charged with drug trafficking in cocaine/marijuana/illegal drugs; and Becerra is charged with drug trafficking in cocaine/marijuana/illegal drugs, possession of a substance with intent to use or convey substance for manufacture of Schedule I or II drugs and possession of tools for the commission of a crime, according to booking reports.

The investigation will continue and has already identified persons associated with a suspect and suppliers, as well people who provided financial support and were to be the recipients of the cocaine, according to the statement.

Terry Richards is senior reporter at The Valdosta Daily Times.