Arrest Helps Agents Seize 42 Pounds of Meth

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Woodstock, GA -- An arrest made last month in Bartow County helped investigators in a neighboring jurisdiction break up an operation believed to be supplying drugs throughout north Georgia.

An Emerson woman was arrested Jan. 26 by the Bartow County Sheriff’s Office and charged with possession of a trafficking amount of methamphetamine.

Those investigators in Bartow County believed the drugs came from a group operating out of Woodstock, the Cherokee Multi-Agency Narcotics Squad said Friday.

Based on information provided by their counterparts in Bartow County, CMANS agents were able to identify a group of residents allegedly “selling and importing drugs into northern Georgia.”

After spending several weeks investigating in the Woodstock area, CMANS agents followed a suspect, identified as 43-year-old Alberto Gabriel, to Houston, Texas, where authorities said he received a shipment of meth.

Agents also worked with the Houston Police Department and were able to gain insight and evidence about the group behind the alleged trafficking.

Gabriel returned to the Woodstock area Feb. 14 and CMANS agents -- with the help of the Woodstock Police Department -- located and seized roughly 42 pounds of meth-based powder.

The street value of the powder is $546,000, the agency added.

Agents believed the powder, which was concealed in three large fire extinguisher tanks, was destined for a conversion lab in the metro Atlanta area.

Gabriel was charged with trafficking methamphetamine.

During the course of the investigation, CMANS agents were also able to utilize undercover operatives who were able to purchase large quantities of meth from several individuals allegedly taking part in the operation.

Woodstock residents arrested in connection to that operation were:

• Jorge Soberanis, 45, charged with three counts of trafficking methamphetamine;
• Angel Martinez, 24, charged with one count of trafficking methamphetamine; and
• Alex Penaloza, 26, charged with one count of probation violation.

All four men remain in custody at the Cherokee Adult Detention Center without bond. Using undercover operatives in an investigation of this nature can be extremely dangerous, CMANS states.

“This deep commitment to the investigation and willingness to operate in a covert capacity within a criminal organization whose roots stretch to Mexico is a testament to the professionalism of the CMANS agents involved,” the agency said in its press release.

CMANS agents continue to coordinate the follow up of this investigation with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Georgia Bureau of Investigation, Atlanta-Carolinas High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force, Bartow-Cartersville Drug Task Force, Houston Texas Police Department and the Texas Department of Public Safety.

Other arrests are possible in both Georgia and Texas.

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.

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Photos 1-3: meth-based powder concealed in fire extinguisher tanks
Photo 4: Alex Penaloza
Photo 5: Angel Martinez
Photo 6: Jorge Soberanis
Photo 7: Alberto Gabriel
Photo credits: Cherokee Multi-Agency Narcotics Squad