Drug Bust Uncovers Meth, Morphine In Woodstock Home

WOODSTOCK, GA -- An investigation into why a man was passed out inside a vehicle earlier this week led to authorities making a significant drug bust at a home in Cherokee County.

Deputies with the Cherokee Sheriff's office were dispatched to a suspicious vehicle call on Monday, April 10 along Holly Creek Way in unincorporated Woodstock. The vehicle, which parked in a driveway of a home, was occupied by a man who was "passed out in the front passenger seat," said Cherokee Multi-Agency Narcotics Squad.

Deputies woke up the man, who was later identified as 29-year-old Kelley Shiflett of Austell. They spoke with the driver, Marietta resident Katie Keais, 25, who had gone inside of the home. She agreed to a search of the vehicle, which unearthed a revolver and a partially smoked marijuana joint.

The sheriff's office requested the assistance of CMANS agents and once on the scene, they learned the man and woman possibly came to the house to buy drugs from the resident inside the home, the organization said on its Facebook page.

That resident, identified as 64-year-old Ricky Gordon Coggins, spoke with agents and consented to a search of the home.

Agents located roughly 24.7 grams of meth as well as two morphine tablets and six Alprazolam pills, CMANS said. Alprazolam is a generic form of Xanax, which is used to treat anxiety and panic disorders. Authorities also found about 3.7 grams of meth inside Shiflett's pockets, the agency added.

Coggins was charged with possession of methamphetamine with the intent to distribute, possession of a schedule II drug (morphine) and possession of a schedule IV drug (alprazolam).

Shiflett was charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession of meth and possession of a misdemeanor amount of marijuana. Keais was charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and possession of a misdemeanor amount of marijuana.

On the same day, CMANS agents were also keeping a close eye on a home they believed a man wanted on warrants warrants from Cherokee County was living at the time.

That suspect, Michael Lindsey Howell, was seen leaving the house, and deputies conducted a traffic stop near Sixes Road and Interstate 575. Howell was placed in handcuffs, and a search of the truck resulted in agents recovering a pound of meth concealed in the false bottom of a propane tank.

Howell was booked into the Cherokee County Adult Detention Center on forgery in the first degree, providing a false name, misdemeanor obstruction of an officer and trafficking charges. He's also on hold for another agency at the facility.

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 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: Ricky Gordan Coggins

Photo 2: Katie Marie Keais

Photo 3: Kelley Shiflett

Photo 4: Michael Lindsey Howell

Photo credits: Cherokee Sheriff's Office