After a four-month investigation, the Covington/Newton County Special Investigation Unit has arrested five people in connection with a drug sales in a house in the Spring Hill community.

According to Commander Lt. Phillip Bradford, undercover investigators began receiving complaints in late summer about a drug house on Morningside Drive. After stopping several people leaving the house, agents were able to start purchasing drugs out of the home as well, doing so from several different people.

Investigators began following the alleged ringleader, 28-year-old Chester Lamar Franklin Jr., who was on parole for drug charges and had been out of prison for just over a year.

With help from the Newton County Sheriff’s Office Crime Suppression Unit, investigators stopped Franklin in his vehicle on Thursday and took him into custody before searching his home.

Brian Roseberry, 31, and 36-year-old Antonio Gude were in the home. Both reportedly tried to run when investigators entered, but were arrested. Cocaine, digital scales and a loaded 9 mm pistol were found in the living room, where the two were reportedly sitting.

Investigators also served a warrant on 37-year-old Derrick Veal while he was incarcerated on other charges. Veal allegedly sold drugs to agents in the fall.

"This case went a little longer than usual, but every time we would go in there we would get a new person selling, and we wanted to make sure we cleaned up that house," Bradford said.

Investigators also arrested 59-year-old Calvin Curry. Police reported that if Franklin didn’t feel like selling at a particular time, he would allegedly send buyers to a gas station where Curry, also known as Mantan, would have a small amount of cocaine available for purchase.

Franklin has been charged with sale of cocaine and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Roseberry and Gude were each charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony and possession of cocaine with intent. Veal and Curry were charged with sale of cocaine.