Heroin Opioid Investigative Team Launches In Cherokee County

CANTON, GA — The Cherokee Multi-Agency Narcotics Squad has rolled out an intelligence-based team that will address and crack down on the devastating opioid crisis in the county. The CMANS Heroin/Opioid Team (HOT) will focus on heroin and other synthetic opioids while also investigating the diversion of legitimate prescription drugs to the street.

CMANS agents will be supported in this effort by a full-time intelligence analyst. Agents will continue to work with other local, state and federal agencies to identify and investigate those individuals selling and distributing opioids throughout North Georgia, the agency said on its Facebook page.

Agents assigned to the Team will work with area medical professionals to identify and arrest individuals who forge prescriptions or falsely obtain prescriptions to sell to users. National statistics show opioid abusers start down the path of addition due to the overuse and overprescribing of prescription drugs, CMANS state.

RELATED: Accused Heroin Dealer Arrested In Cherokee County

Of course, CMANS agents will continue to support the law enforcement agencies in Cherokee County by sorting through intelligence information gathered at fatal and non-fatal overdoses and "will dedicate all available resources to combat this national epidemic," the agency added.

“CMANS agents rely on our citizens to report potentially illegal activities to law enforcement so that agents can follow up," said CMANS Commander Phil Price. "CMANS Agents will do everything we can to make it difficult and risky to sell drugs in Cherokee County."

(For more news like this, find your local Patch here. If you have an iPhone, click here to get the free Patch iPhone app; download the free Patch Android app here)

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, and Georgia State Patrol. Citizens may call in tips anonymously to (770) 345-7920 or may speak to an agent by calling (678) 493-7625.

Image via Shutterstock