Raids Net Meth, Cocaine Worth $266K

The Cherokee Multi-Agency Narcotics Squad has arrested seven people and seized $266,500 worth of drugs in a series of raids sparked by a burglary arrest Friday.

The drug ring handled meth and cocaine from a base in Woodstock and reached into Cobb County, Phil Price, the CMANS commander, said in a news release this afternoon.

“This is the fourth major drug trafficking organization we have dismantled in the last year,” Price said. “We will not allow Cherokee County to become a haven for drug traffickers.”

The CMANS operation began after deputies arrested Canton resident Jimmy Swancey, 39, on burglary warrants Friday and found he had methamphetamine hidden on him, Cherokee authorities said.

The deputies notified the drug squad, whose investigation led to the auto repair shop where Swancey works in the 500 block of Industrial Drive in Woodstock. A raid at the shop early Saturday turned up 19 ounces of what agents believe is meth and 8 ounces of suspected cocaine.

Agents from CMANS and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation’s Regional Drug Enforcement Office then executed a search warrant at a Cobb County motel room Sunday, Price said, and found more than 13 pounds of meth.

The drug agents struck again Monday at the west of Woodstock. That search produced meth, a .45-caliber handgun and about $33,000 in cash.

Swancey is being held without bond on charges of trafficking cocaine and trafficking methamphetamine.

Five other men and a woman also were arrested.

Arrested in connection with Saturday’s raid at the repair shop and held without bond:

• Victor Perez Valle, 28, of Acworth, who is charged with trafficking cocaine and meth.
• Jose De Jesus Lopez-Benitez, 25, of Acworth, who is charged with trafficking cocaine and meth and giving a false name to law enforcement. He also is being held for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
• Jonathan Scott, 30, of Acworth, who is charged with trafficking cocaine and meth.

Arrested in Monday’s raid at Waldan Pond:

• Shawna Rogers, 22, of Acworth, who is charged with possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, possession of a Schedule II drug, possession of a Schedule IV drug, possession of less than an ounce of marijuana and possession of a Schedule III drug. She remains in custody in lieu of a $45,755 bond.
• Marc Lefevre, 26, of Canton, who is charged with possession of meth with intent to distribute, possession of a firearm while committing a felony, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and having an expired license. He’s being held on a $44,715 bond.
• Aaron Boyd, 26, of Canton, who is charged with possession of meth with intent to distribute and remains in jail. His bail was set at $11,200.

The investigation continues, but Sheriff Roger Garrison said he’s already pleased with the outcome: “This is an excellent example of teamwork between multiple agencies which has fortunately resulted in the removal of these suspects from the streets of Cherokee County.”

CMANS is a joint task force representing the Cherokee Sheriff’s Office, , , , Ball Ground Police Department, District Attorney’s Office for the Blue Ridge Judicial Circuit, Cherokee School Police, GBI and Georgia State Patrol.

You can call in anonymous tips to 770-345-7920 or speak to an agent at 770-704-2350.