A 76 year old Cherokee County man is behind bars, after being arrested on a variety of drug charges.

Norman Lee Blankenship of Centre, was arrested Thursday, at a Leesburg area restaurant.

That arrest came about as the result of a month long joint investigation, that was conducted by the Leesburg and Centre Police Departments.

Leesburg Police Chief Lanny Ransum says Blankenship has been charged with the Unlawful Distribution of a Controlled Substance, and Trafficking in Illegal Drugs – both felonies; along with a misdemeanor count of the Unlawful Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

Chief Ransum said the arrest was related primarily to the possession and sale of Oxycodone

Blankenship was taken into custody by Leesburg Officer Joe Johnson & Centre Officers Matt Peek and Will Clark.

Chief Ransum expressed his sincere appreciation to the Centre Police Department, for their outstanding work on that case saying (quote) “…It’s an honor to work with all the dedicated law enforcement officials across Cherokee County who put aside ego and perform as a team to get the job done,”, adding “that spirit of cooperation makes the streets safer for everyone in the county.” (end-quote).

Ransum added that additional arrests could be forthcoming in connection with this case.

Blankenship remains lodged in the Cherokee County Detention Center.