• Wind Advisory for Trenton - Click for Details
    ...WIND ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL NOON EST TODAY...
    Expires: February 16, 2025 @ 12:00pm
    WHAT
    Southwest winds 10 to 20 mph with gusts up to 50 mph.
    WHERE
    Fannin, Gilmer, Union, Towns, Catoosa, Dade, Murray, Walker, and Whitfield Counties.
    WHEN
    Until noon EST today.
    IMPACTS
    Gusty winds will blow around unsecured objects. Tree limbs could be blown down and a few power outages may result.
    PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS
    Winds this strong can make driving difficult, especially for high profile vehicles. Use extra caution. Secure outdoor objects.
  • Tornado Watch for Trenton - Click for Details
    ...A Tornado Watch has been issued...
    Expires: February 16, 2025 @ 9:00am
    LOCATIONS
    Northern and Western Georgia, Far Southeast Tennessee
    EFFECTIVE
    This Sunday morning from 205 AM until 900 AM EST.
    THREATS
    A couple tornadoes possible, Scattered damaging wind gusts to 70 mph likely
    SITUATION
    A line of thunderstorms will continue to pose a threat for a couple of tornadoes and scattered to numerous damaging winds up to 60-70 mph as it moves quickly eastward early this morning.The tornado watch area is approximately along and 40 statute miles east and west of a line from 15 miles north northwest of Chattanooga TN to 55 miles south southwest of Macon GA. For a complete depiction of the watch see the associated watch outline update (WOUS64 KWNS WOU1).
    PRECAUTIONS
    A Tornado Watch means conditions are favorable for tornadoes and severe thunderstorms in and close to the watch area. Persons in these areas should be on the lookout for threatening weather conditions and listen for later statements and possible warnings.
  • Tornado Warning for Trenton - Click for Details
    ... Central Walker County in northwestern Georgia...
    ...RADAR INDICATED MAX HAIL SIZE...
    Expires: February 16, 2025 @ 3:30am
    TORNADO WARNING FOR
    Central Walker County in northwestern Georgia... Southwestern Dade County in northwestern Georgia... * Until 330 AM EST. * At 245 AM EST, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado was located near Hammondville, or 10 miles north of Fort Payne, moving northeast at 50 mph.
    HAZARD
    Tornado.
    SOURCE
    Radar indicated rotation.
    IMPACT
    Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. Damage to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur. Tree damage is likely.
    LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE
    Lafayette, Chickamauga, La Fayette, Chattanooga Valley, Rising Fawn, Linwood, Noble, Cooper Heights, and Rock Spring.
    PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS
    TAKE COVER NOW! Move to a basement or an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building. Avoid windows. If you are outdoors, in a mobile home, or in a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter and protect yourself from flying debris. TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED MAX HAIL SIZE...<.75 IN
  • Severe Thunderstorm Warning for Trenton - Click for Details
    Expires: February 16, 2025 @ 3:00am

Multi-State Wildlife investigation “Operation Viper” leads to numerous charges for venomous snake trafficking.

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On January 12, 2023, the Georgia Department of Natural Resources Law Enforcement Division (DNR LED) and Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) filed charges against eight individuals, for the illegal trafficking of venomous and prohibited exotic snakes.

The DNR LED has been receiving intelligence reports and complaints indicating that a black market existed for the sale and purchase of illegal and highly dangerous venomous reptiles in Georgia. In 2021, Georgia DNR LED and FWC initiated a long-term investigation with undercover investigators to determine the extent of this illegal activity.

The illegal sale, purchase and transporting of these regulated animals pose a significant public safety threat and threatens the long-term well-being of state wildlife populations. If these illegal and dangerous nonnative species were to escape, there is a possibility they could live and breed in the wild.

Over the course of the multi state investigation, nearly 200 snakes, consisting of 24 species from seven different regions of the globe, were purchased from or sold to wildlife traffickers by undercover investigators. Some of those species include the inland taipan, bushmaster, rhinoceros viper, African bush viper, Gaboon viper, green mamba, eyelash viper, multiple species of spitting cobra, forest cobra, puff adder and saw-scaled vipers. Several of these snakes are listed in the top 10 deadliest in the world and no anti-venom for the treatment of snake bites for several of the species is available in Georgia.

This lengthy investigation developed suspects both in and out of Georgia and Florida. Investigators realized early into the investigation that the black market for venomous reptiles was robust, and subjects identified in the operation were dealing reptiles frequently and in high numbers, often to or from unpermitted individuals.

Violations charged during this operation do not take into account that many of these snakes were probably sourced illegally from their home country of origin. A well- established tactic for black market dealers is to launder illegally procured snakes through a properly permitted facility, so they may be sold without divulging their true origin.

 

Timothy James Gould, age 38, of Central City, PA was taken into custody in Georgia on numerous felony and misdemeanor arrest warrants. The other seven suspects were arrested in Florida.

Gould is a well-established wildlife transporter and is unpermitted in the state of Georgia and Florida for any captive wildlife, let alone venomous reptiles. He advertises his illegal transport services on a popular online marketplace for wildlife dealers. When arrested, Gould had 27 exotic venomous snakes in his possession illegally.

Wildlife trafficking ranks fourth behind, drugs, weapons, and humans in global activity, and is often a nexus for other illegal activity. There are many different estimates of the value of illicit wildlife trafficking worldwide. According to the Wildlife Conservation Society, illicit wildlife trafficking is estimated to be between $7.8 billion and $10 billion per year.

For photos of the snake species, click here: Snakes