‘Operation Westside Wakeup’ in Macon leads to 11 arrests related to K2, cocaine

The Bibb County Sheriff's Office says drug activity in the jail sparked a mult-agency investigation.

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – The Bibb County Sheriff’s Office announced Friday that 11 people have been arrested as part of a drug trafficking investigation called “Operation Westside Wakeup.”

According to a news release, the investigation started in January. Investigators monitored the phone jail calls of Akbar Harclerode Sr. The sheriff’s office says it learned that Akbar Harclerode Sr. was conspiring to sell schedule II (K2) drugs in the Bibb County Law Enforcement Center with his girlfriend, Kierra Howard, and his brother, Hassan Harclerode Sr.

Then in April, Bibb County investigators began “Operation Westside Wakeup” with help from several state and federal agencies. This comes after local law enforcement found ties between drug distribution in the jail and people associated with the Macon Mafia Gang.

According to the news release, a Special Investigation Unit found that the K-2 drugs and cocaine were being trafficked beyond the jail and in the Macon area.

“We’re working each day to disrupt and dismantle the growing gang networks that are terrorizing our communities, and those who engage in violent crime will be held accountable,” said Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr. “This is exactly why we expanded our team to Macon, and we’re proud to be in this fight with the Bibb County Sheriff’s Office, GBI, FBI, ATF and DEA. All Georgians deserve to feel safe, and we won’t rest until that’s a reality.”

Law enforcement made 11 arrests at three locations in Macon on May 23. Hassan Harclerode Sr. was arrested after a traffic stop as he was leaving one of those locations. The sheriff’s office says he’s responsible for distributing more than 1,000 grams of cocaine and crack cocaine.

All suspects are facing drug charges:

1. Hassan Shirell Harclerode Sr. (Arrested) Conspiracy to Violate the GA Controlled Substance Act (K-2), Trafficking in Schedule II (Cocaine), Trafficking in Schedule I (Ecstasy), Trafficking in Marijuana, and Conspiracy for Trafficking in Schedule II (Cocaine).
2. Akbar Muhammed Harclerode Sr. (IN JAIL) Conspiracy to Violate the Georgia Controlled Substance Act (K-2), Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon 3 counts.
3. Kierra Sharday Howard (Arrested) Conspiracy to Violate the Georgia Controlled Substance Act (K-2).
4. Akbar Muhammed Harclerode Jr. (Arrested) Conspiracy for Trafficking in Schedule II (Cocaine), Trafficking in Schedule II (Fentanyl), Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony 2 counts, Possession of Marijuana with Intent to Distribute
5. Chanika Shamill Randall (Arrested) Conspiracy for Trafficking in Schedule II (Cocaine).
6. Rodney Dewayne Clyde (Arrested) Conspiracy for Trafficking in Schedule II (Cocaine).
7. Arias Lamar Clyde (Arrested) Conspiracy for Trafficking in Schedule II (Cocaine).
8. Gregory Arnett Woodard (Arrested) Conspiracy for Trafficking in Schedule II (Cocaine), Possession of Marijuana with Intent to Distribute.
9. Thomas Jerry Butler (Arrested) Conspiracy for Trafficking in Schedule II (Cocaine).
10. Tylon Evans (Arrested) Sale of Schedule II (Fentanyl) 2 counts, Sale of Methamphetamine.
11. Clarence Davis Smith (Arrested) Conspiracy for Trafficking in Schedule II (Cocaine).

In a statement, Sheriff David Davis praised the cooperation from local, state, and federal law enforcement.

“This operation illustrates how the illicit drug trade reaches from the cell block to the city street. We can be very grateful for the dedicated work of the local, state, and federal investigators in bringing to justice those individuals who work to bring poison into our community.”

The sheriff’s office adds that “Operation Westside Wakeup” was its first Title-3 investigation in more than a decade. Sheriff Davis also thanked the Attorney General’s Office and Assistant AG Ashton Jordan, ATF, DEA, FBI, GBI and all other agencies that participated and assisted in the operation.