Ruben Ortiz

VALDOSTA, Ga. — Two people have been arrested on drug charges after a search of a car and home Friday, according to the Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office.

Sheriff’s office investigators stopped a vehicle driven by Jana Maria Horton, 31, and during a search of the car reportedly located a quantity of methamphetamine valued at several hundred dollars, said Capt. Stryde Jones of the sheriff’s office. The investigators obtained a search warrant for Horton’s residence in the 3300 block of Race Track Road, where they reported finding more methamphetamine valued at approximately $1,800, he said.

A second resident of the home, Ruben Ortiz, 36, was not present at the time of the search but was arrested later in the day, Jones said. Both were taken to the Lowndes County Jail and charged with possession of methamphetamine with the intent to distribute and possession of tools for the commission of a crime, while Ortiz was also charged with use of a communications device to facilitate a crime, Jones said.

Sheriff Chris Prine said, “This is another great example of information from the public pushing these investigations forward. Safe communities are a joint effort of law enforcement and citizens. The Special Operations Division did a fantastic job in this case taking that information and acting upon it. Simply said, we need the public’s assistance. Great work to all involved.”

Anyone with information about this incident can contact the sheriff’s Office at (229) 671-2950 or anonymous tips can be provided at (229) 671-2985 or online at www.lowndessheriff.com. The sheriff’s office is also accessible on Facebook.