On Wednesday, February 17, 2010, a joint Narcotics Investigation that spanned the Continental United States was successfully completed with the arrest of 12 suspects in Georgia and Louisiana.  The investigation began as an undercover investigation in Cherokee County, Georgia involving the trafficking of marijuana.  Agents learned during the investigation that the marijuana that was being sold was “very high grade marijuana.” The agents were able to determine that the marijuana was being grown in Mendocino, California.  The marijuana was then transported from California to Douglasville, Georgia through New Orleans, Louisiana.  Once in Douglasville, mid-level dealers were distributing the marijuana into Atlanta and the surrounding areas. 

This investigation was a joint investigation by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, Cherokee County Multi-Agency Narcotics Squad, Atlanta HIDTA, DEA California, Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, Atlanta Police Department, New Orleans HIDTA, Louisiana State Police, Arizona DPS Narcotics and Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office COMMET team.

Arrested during the investigation are as follows: 
Donye Willis, Atlanta, Ga., Conspiracy to Traffic Marijuana
Troy Roundtree,  42, Woodstock, Ga., Conspiracy to Traffic Marijuana
Vaughn Russell, 36, Atlanta, Ga., Conspiracy to Traffic Marijuana
Lenard Cann, 41, Atlanta, Ga., Conspiracy to Traffic Marijuana
Justin Cunningham, 22, Atlanta, Ga., Conspiracy to Traffic Marijuana
Edward Smith, 32, Atlanta, Ga., Conspiracy to Traffic Marijuana
Jerome Johnson, Jr., 36, Douglasville, Ga., Conspiracy to Traffic Marijuana, Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon
Alex Middleton, 53, Douglasville, Ga., Conspiracy to Traffic Marijuana
Renee Middleton, 48, Douglasville, Ga., Conspiracy to Traffic Marijuana
Carolina Cattoche, New Orleans, La., Possession of Marijuana with intent to distribute
Kent Smith, 43, Atlanta, Ga., Conspiracy to Traffic Marijuana
Paul Cattoche, 56, Douglasville, Ga., Conspiracy to Traffic Marijuana

Seizures during the investigation included approximately 100 pounds of Marijuana street valued at $500,000.00, 10 vehicles, approximately $1,000,000.00 in real estate, fifty firearms, approximately $120,000.00 cash, and approximately $20,000.00 in drug assets.  More arrests and seizures are anticipated.  The investigation continues.

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Contact Information:

SAC Rusty Grant - 678-493-7625