FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Heroin Arrest/Narcotics Arrest
June 5, 2015
On Wednesday, June 3, 2015, agents of the Cherokee Multi-Agency Narcotics Squad (CMANS) arrested Katherine Silva, of Kennesaw, Georgia. Agents had information that Silva was a source of heroin in south Cherokee County. Agents conducted an undercover operation, in which Silva sold heroin to a CMANS Agent. CMANS Agents moved in and arrested Silva and seized more than six grams of heroin. Silva was charged with Trafficking Heroin. Drug Trafficking is one of the most serious drug charges under Georgia Law.
In recent months, CMANS Agents have opened lines of communication with both the Marietta-Cobb-Smyrna (MCS) Drug Task Force in Marietta, Georgia, and the Atlanta Police Zone 1 Field Investigation Team (FIT) and the Atlanta Carolinas High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA). Atlanta Zone 1 includes the area known as the Bluff (a well-known open air heroin market in Atlanta). These open lines of communication are critical to addressing the increased flow of heroin into the North Metro Area.
With contacts in both jurisdictions, CMANS Agents were able to facilitate a search of Silva’s apartment in Kennesaw, and the arrest of two individuals believed to be Silva’s source of supply in Atlanta. Atlanta Police raided a room at the Crown Plaza hotel in downtown Atlanta. There they arrested 29-year-old Erik Standley and 26-year-old Blayk Williams. The arrests in Atlanta netted over 1/3rd pound of heroin and about $1,300 in cash. Inter-agency cooperation was the key to wrapping up the various ends of Silva’s heroin operations in Metro Atlanta.
Silva was charged with Trafficking in Heroin and Sale of Heroin, and was turned over to the Cherokee Adult Detention Center in Canton. Silva is being held with no bond.
On Thursday, June 4, 2015, Agents arrested Marcquita Tyshell Holder, of Decatur, Georgia, when she brought 91 OxyContin pills to Cherokee County to sell to an undercover agent. Holder brought along two handguns and a stun gun. Holder was unknown to CMANS agents until a few weeks ago. She was identified when the parents of a man who died from a drug overdose in Cherokee County came to agents with information they had discovered after their son’s death. Agents were able to contact Holder and set up a meeting. It is unusual for a dealer to respond to a contact from someone they don’t already know, but CMANS Agents were tenacious in pressing to meet Holder.
Holder was charged with Sale of a Schedule II Narcotic, Possession of a Firearm during the commission of certain Felonies, and Drug Sales within 1000 feet of a School. Holder is being held at the Cherokee Adult Detention Center with no bond.
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.
