Canton Man Charged With Trafficking Heroin, Cocaine

CANTON, GA -- A tip from a citizen expressing concern about possible drug activity led authorities to arrest the man police say was one of the main suppliers of drugs to the Canton area.

Agents with the Cherokee Multi-Agency Narcotics Squad last week arrested 30-year-old Abdur-Rahim Drinkard of Canton, the organization said Friday.

The arrest was the result of information provided Nov. 9 from a resident who was concern about "possible drug activity" occurring in an area around the city.

Agents began conducting surveillance the area in an effort to locate the person of interest described to them. The man, later identified as Drinkard, was located near "The Cut," an area north of the Canton city limits where "small user level drug transactions have been reported for many years," CMANS said.

Officers were able to conduct a traffic stop, and a search of the vehicle unearthed about 56.6 grams of suspected cocaine, approximately 35.7 grams of suspected heroin, about 2.6 grams of marijuana, roughly 6.6 grams of suspected MDMA (commonly known as ecstasy) and hundreds of controlled prescription medications. Drinkard also had a handgun in his possession.

The Canton resident is charged with trafficking cocaine, trafficking heroin, trafficking MDMA, possession with the intent to distribute Xanax, possession with the intent to distribute hydrocodone, possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

Investigators have also "developed information" that indicates Drinkard was allegedly one of the "main drug suppliers to The Cut, and was believed to have been bringing drugs to Cherokee County from Atlanta," CMANS said in the press release.

"CMANS agents try to focus their attention and resources to address people who distribute drugs, especially heroin, in Cherokee County," CMANS Commander Phil Price said. "We can’t stop the users who go to Atlanta, and come back to their homes in Cherokee County. But we can do something about people who sell drugs in our county. We will target individuals who prey on the addictions of our citizens, and we will do everything we can to make it difficult, and risky to sell drugs here.”

In a separate investigation occurring on the same day, CMANS agents also arrested and charged Acworth residents Melissa Rene Hunt, 36, and Jarred McKenzie Biggers, 27, on one count each of trafficking meth.

The arrest occurred in the parking lot of Home Depot on Highway 92 in Woodstock after agents allegedly saw Biggers sell meth to another individual. Biggers was also charged with sale of meth.

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, Canton Police Department, Woodstock Police Department, Holly Springs Police Department, Ball Ground Police Department, Cherokee County Marshal’s Office, District Attorney’s Office for the Blue Ridge Judicial Circuit, 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.

Photo 1: Abdur-Rahim Drinkard
Photo 2: Melissa Rene Hunt
Photo 3: Jarred McKenzie Biggers
Photo credits: Cherokee Sheriff's Office