Agents Seize Drugs, Exotic Animals From Woodstock Home

Two Woodstock residents who were arrested for trafficking and possessing a variety of drugs were also caught with an array of exotic animals inside their home, including one banned in the U.S.

Agents with the Cherokee Multi-Agency Narcotics Squad have charged Marlena Shae Darby, 19 with trafficking of marijuana, possession of Xanax and possession of hashish. They've also charged Kurt Steven Wisehart, 25, with possession of cocaine and hashish. 

A third suspect, Matt Quinn, has also been charged with trafficking marijuana, possession of Xanax, possession of hashish and possession of psilocybin mushrooms, but remains at large.

Agents made the arrests after a search of the home on Creekbend Drive on Friday, April 18. Creekbend Drive is located off Highway 92 near its intersection with Creekview Drive. 

Before the raid, agents were able to track a shipment of 10 pounds of marijuana to the home, and unearthed an additional three pounds and several firearms inside the home, the Cherokee Sheriff's Office said in a news release. Agents also located $5,796 at the residence.

Agents believe the drugs may have originated in California, and were shipped across the country. The marijuana, the hashish and the pills were all package for redistribution.

The raid also uncovered a variety of exotic animals inside the home, and CMANS agents had to call the Cherokee County Marshal's Office and Georgia Department of Natural Resources to assist with the removal of these animals. 

One animal discovered inside the home was a tegu, which is banned in the United States "for their aggressive nature and their damage to the ecosystem," according to the sheriff's office. 

The marshal's office and the state will be working with federal authorities on how to deal with the animals found in the home.

The residents may face additional charges due to the possession of the tegu and other species found inside the home.

Both Darby and Wisehart remain in custody at the Cherokee County Adult Detention Center. Darby has no bond while Wisehart's bond was set at $22,400.