FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 21, 2014
On Friday, April 18, 2014, agents of the Cherokee Multi-Agency Narcotics Squad (CMANS) conducted a search at a residence on Creekbend Drive in Woodstock, GA. Agents charged Marlena Shae Darby with Trafficking in Marijuana, Possession of Xanax, and Possession of Hashish. Kurt Steven Wisehart was charged with Possession of Cocaine and Possession of Hashish. Matt Quinn has been charged with Trafficking in Marijuana, Possession of Xanax, Possession of Hashish, and Possession of psilocybin mushrooms.
Agents were able to track a shipment of 10 pounds of marijuana to the residence, and then discovered an additional three pounds of marijuana and several firearms in the Woodstock area home. The drugs were believed to have originated in California and were shipped across the country. The marijuana, the hashish and the pills were package for redistribution.
Bell and Darby were arrested at the residence, and turned over to the Cherokee Adult Detention Center. Quinn was not at the residence, and his warrants are active.
Agents also called on the Cherokee Marshal’s Office and the Georgia Department of Natural Resources to assist when the search uncovered a variety of exotic animals, including a tegus. The tegus are banned in the United States for their aggressive nature and their damage to the ecosystem. The tegus are an invasive species which reproduces quickly and eats a wide variety of food items, including small animals and eggs of many wildlife species. The black and white tegu is native to South America. Tegus are black and white in color with banding along the tail, and can reach up to four feet in length. The Cherokee Marshal’s Office and the Georgia Department of Natural Resources will be working with federal authorities to deal with the exotic animals found in the home. Additional charges may come out of the possession of the tegus and some of the other animals.
The Cherokee Multi-Agency Narcotics Squad is a joint task force working in Cherokee County to investigate drug related violations. Participating agencies include the Cherokee Sheriff’s Office, the Canton Police Department, the Woodstock Police Department, the Holly Springs Police Department, the Ball Ground Police Department, the Cherokee County Marshal’s Office, the District Attorney’s Office for the Blue Ridge Judicial Circuit, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation and the Georgia State Patrol. Citizens may call in tips anonymously to (770) 345- 7920, or may speak to an agent by calling (678) 493-7625.
