Big Cherokee drug bust nets cocaine, meth, 7 arrests

By Marcus K. Garner

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Cherokee County authorities said they arrested seven people and seized nearly $270,000 in cocaine and methamphetamine.

Members of the Cherokee Multi-Agency Narcotics Squad were contacted Friday when Cherokee Sheriff’s deputies discovered a large amount of methamphetamine concealed on a Canton man arrested on an outstanding burglary warrant, sheriff’s spokesman Lt. Jay Baker said.

The burglary suspect, 39-year-old Jimmy Swancey, led investigators to his place of work, an unnamed auto mechanic shop at 520 Industrial Drive, Woodstock, Baker said.

With a search warrant in-hand early Saturday morning, agents discovered more than a pound of methamphetamine and about a half a pound of a substance believed to be cocaine, police said. They said three more people were arrested: Jose DeJesus Lopez-Benitez, 25, Jonathan Scot, 30, and Victor Perez Valle, 28, all of Acworth.

Information gather from that raid led CMANS agents and GBI agents to a Cobb County motel room Sunday, where 13 pounds of methamphetamine was discovered.

And on Monday, agents executed a search warrant at the Waldan Pond apartments in Woodtsock, where they found methamphetamine, a .45-caliber handgun and about $33,00 in cash, Baker said.

Also, authorities said they arrested Aaron Boyd, 26, and Marc LeFevre, 26, both of Canton, and Shawna Rogers, 22, of Acworth.

Swancey was charged with trafficking methamphetamine and remains in custody without bond. Valle and Scott were charged with cocaine trafficking and trafficking methamphetamine, and also are being held without bond.

In addition to cocaine and methamphetamine trafficking charges, Lopez-Benitez was charged with and giving a false name. He has no bond and has had a hold placed on him for U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement.

Rogers was charged with possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute and multiple counts of drug possession.. She remains in custody with a $45,755 bond.

LeFevre was charged with possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, possessing a firearm by a convicted felon and during the commission of a felony, and expired license, and remains in custody on $44,715 bond.

Boyd is being held on $11,200 bond for methamphetamine possession with intent to distribute

All of the  suspects are being held in the Cherokee Adult Detention Center.