Snellville Officer Given National Award For Record Drug Bust

SNELLVILLE, GA – Police officer Brett Chism was honored by City Council Monday for winning a national award after making the largest seizure of MDMA, commonly known as ecstasy, in the country last year.

The National Criminal Enforcement Association recognized Chism for making the largest seizure of MDMA in the country in 2017. The organization provides training and networking opportunities for its 7,000-plus international members in aggressive criminal patrol and “looking beyond the ticket.”

On Monday, he was presented the award by Chief Roy Whitehead at the Council meeting.

“Brett is dedicated, energetic and driven as he serves and protects our city,” Whitehead said. “He deserves to be honored for this effort as well as for what he does every day. His actions have brought tremendous recognition to our city and our department. I couldn’t be more proud of him.”

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At about 2 a.m. on Sept. 29, 2017, Chism stopped a car for an equipment violation on East Main Street. The driver and passenger exhibited several indicators leading Chism to believe they were involved in criminal activity. He asked the driver for consent to search the car, but he refused. A K-9, on the scene, conducted a free air sniff of the car giving a positive indication for the odor of narcotics.

Chism searched the car finding 45,000 MDMA pills, marijuana and two handguns (one stolen). He arrested both occupants and between them charged them with trafficking ecstasy, possession of marijuana, possession of drug-related objects, possession of a firearm in the commission of a felony, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and theft by receiving for the stolen handgun.

Chism attended the National Criminal Enforcement Association National Conference in Denver for additional training and to receive this well-deserved recognition. The NCEA was founded in memory of Capt. Robbie Bishop of the Villa Rica Police Department who was killed in the line of duty.

Photo courtesy City of Snellville