Drugs, Guns Seized at House with Day Care Facility

Gwinnett Police say it busted a drug operation early Friday morning at a Snellville-area home where a day-care facility has been operating.

The discovery of drugs and guns at 4575 Ashington Drive led to the arrests of three people on drug charges and the filing of an arrest warrant for the operator of the day-care facility, police said.

Police conducted a search warrant at the residence as part of a drug investigation, and found several guns, cash, counterfeit currency, drugs, and packaging material.

Much of the contraband was located in areas adjacent to a room used for day care in the basement of the residence, Gwinnett Police Public Information Officer Cpl. Michele Pihera said.

“During the course of the investigation, the officers learned that one of the residents was operating a day care facility (possibly unlicensed) in the basement of the home,” Pihera said in a news release. “The officers learned that 4-6 children are being cared for on a daily basis in the basement of the home.”

Police said warrants have been secured for day-care operator Knishasa Ray, 37, for reckless conduct. She was not in custody early Friday afternoon.

Three others face drug and other charges.

Officers were acting on a tip that drugs were being sold out of the residence when they pulled over a driver who had just left the house around 11:30 p.m. Thursday. Jimmy Simpkins, 41, was found with cocaine and was charged with possession of a controlled substance, as well as with driving on a suspended license and a tag-light violation.

Officers obtained a search warrant early Friday morning and uncovered the contraband at the house.

Eric Zavare Ray, 20, and Joseph Simpkins, 39, were arrested and charged with possession with intent to distribute, theft by receiving firearm, possession of marijuana and possession of drug-related objects. Simpkins also faces possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and second-degree forgery charges.

Police said Ray will not face charges relating to possession of drugs, but the Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning has been notified of this case, and plan to investigate.

Photos: Gwinnett PD PIO