DTF: Cartersville Gambling Business a Front for Selling Drugs

Local authorities Thursday raided a Cartersville gambling business they say was a front for the distribution of illegal drugs.

As a result, Bartow-Cartersville Drug Task Force agents, members of the Federal Bureau of Investigation's Safe Streets Task Force, along with Gordon County Sheriff’s Office deputies and parole officers from the State Board of Pardons and Parole arrested four individuals on various drug charges.

DTF Commander Capt. Mark Mayton said agents started investigating allegations of illegal activity at the Golden Eight Ball, 5698 Highway 20 in Cartersville, about three months ago. Agents believed the gambling business was a front for an illegal drug distribution operation, according to the press release.

Edward Sylvian Cameron III, 40, and wife, Tracy Lee Cameron, 31, both of Calhoun, operated the business, which is now closed, Mayton told Cartersville Patch.

Early in the investigation, agents allegedly bought illegal drugs from the business and discovered that not only were drugs being sold, but winning patrons were getting cash pay-outs, they said in the release.

In conducting a search warrant at the business and arresting individuals suspected to be active in the organization, authorities seized a large sum of cash and suspected methamphetamine. Agents also found several doses of Lysergic Acid Diethylamide, also known as LSD or "acid" and prescription drugs that had allegedly been diverted for illegal use.

Agents are still following information gathered during the investigation and expect more arrests in the near future.

These four were arrested and jailed on the following charges:

• Edward Sylvian Cameron III, 40, of Calhoun—two counts trafficking methamphetamine, possession of methamphetamine with the intent to distribute, possession of Schedule I narcotic (Lysergic Acid Diethylamide or LSD) with the intent to distribute, Possession of Schedule II narcotic (Oxycodone) with the intent to distribute, three counts sale/possession of a controlled substance within 1,000 feet of a school, commercial gambling and keeping a place of gambling.

• Angela Marie Ross, 41, of 25 Sherwood Lane, Cartersville—three counts of trafficking methamphetamine and two counts of possession/sale of controlled substances within 1,000 feet of a school.

• Tracy Lee Cameron, 31, of Calhoun—two counts of possession of methamphetamine with the intent to distribute, possession of Schedule I narcotic (Lysergic Acid Diethylamide or LSD) with the intent to distribute, possession of a Schedule II narcotic (Oxycodone) with the intent to distribute, and sale/possession of a controlled substance within 1,000 feet of a school.

• Donald Gene Williams, 59, of 263 Mac Johnson Road, Cartersville—possession of methamphetamine.

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