The Stephens County Sheriff’s Office announced on May 13 its involvement in Operation Southern Forest Trident, a multi-agency effort that resulted in the arrest of 25 noncitizens in Stephens County. Among those arrested were 14 individuals with prior felony convictions and one confirmed cartel member.
Operation Southern Forest Trident took place from May 1 to May 6, 2026, spanning areas of Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina. The initiative focused on deterring and investigating criminal activity on national forest lands in Stephens County and surrounding regions. Local deputies worked alongside federal and state agencies to address activity in remote areas, according to the department’s official social media channels.
The operation was led by the U.S. Forest Service Law Enforcement and Investigations division, with concentrated efforts in Stephens and Habersham counties between May 3 and May 5. Agencies involved included the Georgia State Patrol, Georgia Department of Natural Resources, the Department of Homeland Security, and FBI task force members.
Georgia law enforcement agencies continue to report challenges related to illegal immigration in rural and border-adjacent areas. Recent operations have targeted fugitives and drug trafficking activity near national forest lands. Increased patrols aim to deter criminal activity that impacts local communities and the environment.
Local officials say these efforts are part of broader statewide initiatives designed to maintain public safety in less frequently patrolled regions, according to WJCL.
The operaton comes as U.S. Customs and Border Protection have recorded 4,414 arrests of individuals with criminal convictions through April of fiscal year 2026. Charges or convictions among these individuals ranged from drug possession and trafficking to illegal entry offenses. Federal agencies, including Immigration and Customs Enforcement, have reported ongoing operations involving individuals convicted of serious crimes such as assault and drug-related violations.
The Stephens County Sheriff’s Office serves as the primary law enforcement agency for public safety within Stephens County, Georgia. The department works closely with federal, state, and local partners on interdiction operations addressing crime in both urban centers and rural areas near national forest lands.
