WOODSTOCK — Three Woodstock residents were arrested last week after undercover narcotics agents confirmed at least one of the suspects was selling heroin laced with fentanyl. The three suspects were arrested Friday, Nov. 2 by Cherokee Multi-Agency Narcotics Squad agents as they met to carry out a drug transaction.

Undercover CMANS agents in October made several purchases of heroin from 31-year-old Justin Arroyo of Woodstock. Those agents discovered the heroin purchased from Arroyo also contained fentanyl, a powerful opioid that's stronger than morphine and has been associated with accidental overdoses of first responders around the country, CMANS alleges. Agents secured arrest warrants for Arroyo, and went to his room Nov. 2 at the InTown Suites in Woodstock. When agents arrived at the location they set up surveillance on Arroyo's room. Almost immediately, Arroyo and his companion, Lurise Billings, 28, also of Woodstock, left the room, got into a car and drove away.

Agents followed and watched as another suspect, later identified as Randy Rice, 39 of Woodstock, arrived and got in the car with Arroyo and Billings. Agents moved in to arrest Arroyo and interrupt a suspected heroin sale, CMANS said. (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)



Search warrants were secured for Arroyo's room and two vehicles. CMANS agents unearthed about 15.2 grams of heroin, which is classified as a second-tier trafficking charge and could result in a mandatory 10-year prison sentence and a $100,000 fine. Also found during the search was 5.1 grams of suspected methamphetamine, 75 Xanax tablets, 38 hydrocodone tablets and five buprenorphine tablets. Arroyo and Billings were charged with two counts of sale of heroin, trafficking heroin, possession of hydrocodone with intent to distribute, possession of Xanax with intent to distribute, possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, possession of buprenorphine hydrochloride and naloxone hydrochloride, criminal attempt to distribute heroin and possession of heroin/fentanyl mix. Arroyo was also charged with two counts of sale of fentanyl. They remain in custody at the Cherokee Adult Detention Center without bond. Rice was charged with criminal attempt to possess heroin, and remains held with a $3,500 bond.

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, the Canton, Woodstock, Holly Springs and Ball Ground police departments; the Cherokee County Marshal's Office, the 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.