THOMASVILLE — A suspect in a cocaine case took local narcotics agents on a long chase along a long dirt road in Brooks County.

The journey returned to the Thomas County portion of Barwick, where a crowd awaited the suspect and Thomas County/Thomasville Narcotics/Vice Division agents.

Agents learned Thursday night that Leroy Lamons would be in the Barwick area with a large quantity of powder cocaine. They also learned his destination and that he would be driving a purple Nissan pickup truck.

Agents stopped the truck on Stone Road outside Barwick — but not for long.

Lamons fled to Coffee Road and into Brooks County. Agents and a Thomas County Sheriff’s Office deputy gave chase.

“He took us on a lengthy chase. It didn’t get up to high speeds, because it was on a long, dirt road, Son Wright Road in Brooks County,” said Kevin Lee, narcotics/vice chief.

Agents saw Lamons throw objects from the vehicle during the chase. Officers threw items from their vehicles to mark the spots, and the chase continued.

Officers tried several times to box the Nissan in with their vehicles.

“Each time he would swerve and try to hit us,” Lee said.

Lamons drove to his home at 1080 Richardson St. in Barwick.

“While we were chasing him, we could tell he was talking on the phone,” Lee said. “When we arrived at his home, there were about 30 people waiting for us.”

The crowd appeared to be made up of family and friends of the suspect.

As agents removed Lamons from the truck, they saw a bag of powder cocaine on the floor of the vehicle and found a 9mm handgun on a tool box in the Nissan.

Lamons was transported to the Thomas County Jail, and agents returned to Son Wright Road in Brooks County and found the items they had thrown out to mark the spots where Lamons pitched items as he fled.

Following a trail of cups, paper and packages of catsup they had thrown, agents found eight bags of powder cocaine identical to the bag found in the truck.

Lamons, 45, is charged with cocaine possession with intent to distribute, five counts of aggravated assault on a peace officer, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, felony eluding police, reckless driving and numerous traffic violations.

He was denied bond Friday afternoon.

Lee said his agency has arrested Lamons on drug charges several times in the past.

“We are familiar with him,” Lee said.