Drug Investigation Nets 4 Arrests

Four people were arrested and 106 marijuana plants seized after a month-long, multi-jurisdictional investigation.

According to a news release from the Cherokee County Sheriff's Office, officers also seized 12 pounds of marijuana and three indoor marijuana grow operations, two found on Ernie Road in eastern Cherokee County and the other discovered in Hall County.

"We are very pleased with the current results of this ongoing investigation," Sheriff Roger Garrison said. "It is an excellent example of what can be accomplished when local and state agencies work together to remove illegal drugs from our streets."

The investigation began after a tip from the public and culminated on Thursday with four arrests. Ollie Marchbanks, 32, of Snellville, is charged with conspiracy to distribute marijuana and was released on an $11,200 bond. Noah Sanders, 36, of Dawsonville, is charged with two counts of conspiracy to distribute marijuana and remains in custody at the Cherokee County Adult Detention Center with a $22,400.00 bond. Graig Medon, 33, of Gainesville, is charged with manufacturing marijuana and was released on an $11,200 bond. Madeline Stoddard, 25, of Gainesville is charged with felony possession of marijuana and was released on an $11,200 bond. 

The investigation is ongoing, and more arrests are likely, officials said. Participating in the investigation were the Cherokee Multi-Agency Narcotics Squad; the Georgia Bureau of Investigation's Regional Drug Office in Canton and West Metro Task Force; the Northeast Georgia Major Offenders Task Force; the Hall County MANS Unit; the Atlanta Police Department's Narcotics Unit; the Dawson County Sheriff's Office; the Cherokee County Sheriff's Office's K-9 Unit; and narcotics agents from Dawson, Hall, and Gwinnett counties.