Drug Sweep Grabs 4 from Acworth

Four Acworth residents are among seven people arrested in connection with a series of drug raids the Cherokee Multi-Agency Narcotics Squad carried out the past few days.

CMANS seized meth and cocaine worth $266,500 in busting a drug ring based in Woodstock that reached into Cobb County, Phil Price, the commander of the drug task force, 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 Acworth residents arrested are Shawna Rogers, 22, Victor Perez Valle, 28, Jose De Jesus Lopez-Benitez, 25, and Jonathan Scott, 30.

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 in the Acworth section of Cherokee County. That search produced meth, a .45-caliber handgun and about $33,000 in cash.

The total value of the drugs seized in the raids is roughly $266,500, CMANS said.

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

Scott, Valle and Jesus Lopez-Benitez were arrested in connection with Saturday’s raid at the repair shop and held without bond on charges on trafficking cocaine and meth. Jesus Lopez-Benitez also is being held for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Rogers was arrested in Monday’s raid at Waldan Pond and 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 jail in lieu of a $45,755 bond.

Also arrested at Waldan Pond:

• 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 Cherokee 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.”