Police Nab "Major Source" Of Heroin Distribution in South Cherokee

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Police have arrested a man they believe was a “major source” of heroin distribution throughout south Cherokee County.

Joseph DeJesus Centeno, 23, of Woodstock was arrested Thursday, Feb. 19 by agents with the Cherokee Multi Agency Narcotics Squad, according to its press release.

Centeno has been charged with possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, trafficking heroin and possession of a firearm during certain crimes. He remains at the Cherokee County Adult Detention Center without bond.

When he was arrested, CMANS said heroin allegedly in Centeno’s possession was weighed at the scene and was more than three times the weight required for a trafficking charge in Georgia.

CMANS agents were conducting an investigation on Thursday in Woodstock when they observed Centeno, who they later determined was “a major source of heroin distribution in south Cherokee County,” the agency said in its press release.

Agents watched as Centeno allegedly traveled to the Atlanta area and were able to track him back to Cherokee County. Around 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Centeno stopped at Taco Bell on Highway 92 near Main Street “apparently waiting to meet someone.”

Agents didn’t waste any time moving in and arresting Centeno, who CMANS said was armed with two handguns.

Heroin use in the Atlanta’s northern suburbs is on a disturbing increase. In 2010, there were 13 heroin cases submitted by Cherokee County law enforcement officers to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation’s Crime Lab. By 2014, that number grew to 59 cases submitted from Cherokee, the same number submitted in DeKalb County.

In metro Atlanta, Cherokee County crime lab submissions for heroin ranked behind Fulton, Cobb and Gwinnett counties, CMANS notes.

One bright spot in the troubling trend is local police officers are now carrying naloxone, better known as Narcan, to reverse overdoses caused by heroin and other opioids.

“It is, however, unrealistic to believe individuals can use heroin without risk because the police will save them,” said CMANS Commander Phil Price. “Heroin seen on the streets today includes many different drugs, and can have a variety of effects on the human body. The inclusion of fentanyl, a powerful pain killer, has become common and the effects can be faster and more difficult to reverse.”

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: Joseph DeJesus Centeno, 23. Credit: Cherokee Sheriff’s Office