Agents bust metro meth ring, arrest 5

By MEGAN MATTEUCCI

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Drug agents in Cherokee County say they have arrested five members of a methamphetamine-trafficking gang, but still have at least 20 more distributors at-large.

The Hispanic gang is based in Gwinnett County, but distributes crystal meth in Cherokee, Pickens and Cobb counties, said Kimberly Williams, assistant special agent in charge of the GBI.

“The top levels of the organization are in Gwinnett, but there are distributors up here,” said Williams, who commands the Cherokee Multi-Agency Narcotics Squad. “We’re still investigating, but there are least 20-25 more distributors in Cherokee County.”

In the past two weeks, agents have seized 162.8 grams of crystal meth - worth about $18,000 - from the drug ring, Williams said. Crystal meth, known as “ice,” sells for about $110 a gram on the street.

On Tuesday, agents stormed Cottrell’s Mobile Home Park in Acworth, where they arrested Gustavo Sanchez. Police said Sanchez, 17, supplied “large quantities” of meth from two trailers.

Sanchez was arrested after leading officers on a foot chase into the woods, where he dumped half an ounce of meth and $1,566, said Lt. Jay Baker, spokesman for the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office.

Agents also found 3.5 ounces of meth hidden in the floor in one of Sanchez’s trailers, Baker said.

On Monday, agents raided the Suburban Lodge in Woodstock, where they found 34 grams of meth, police said.

Agents arrested 30-year-old Samuel Burkes II, who they say is a “mid-level methamphetamine supplier to Cherokee and Pickens Counties,” according to Baker.

Last week, agents executed a search warrant at Gregory Hayes’ Acworth home. Officers seized an ounce of meth and arrested Hayes, who they say is a meth distributor

Hayes, 27, is being held without bond on charges of trafficking and selling meth. Sanchez, of Acworth, and Burkes, of Kennesaw, are being held without bond on charges of meth trafficking.

Police also arrested Phillip Rodriguez, 45, and Leora Rutledge, 20, both on Acworth, on multiple drug possession charges.

Williams said they are working to track down additional suspects, but are asking the public to help. Anonymous tips about drug activity in Cherokee can be left at 770-345-7920.