Third Suspect In Woodstock Drug, Exotic Animal Case Remains At Large

The third suspect wanted in a drug trafficking scheme in Woodstock by the Cherokee Multi-Agency Narcotics Squad remains on the loose.

However, CMANS Commander Phil Price noted Matt Quinn, who has been charged by agents with trafficking marijuana, possession of Xanax, possession of hashish and possession of psilocybin mushrooms has been in contact with his attorney and "we believe that he will turn himself in soon."

Agents on Friday, April 18 searched the home on Creekbend Drive and arrested residents Marlena Shae Darby and Kurt Steven Wisehart. 

Darby, 19, has been charged with trafficking of marijuana, possession of Xanax and possession of hashish. Wisehart, 25, faces possession of cocaine and hashish charges. 

Both were taken into custody at the Cherokee County Adult Detention Center. Darby has no bond while Wisehart's bond was set at $22,400. Price noted a trafficking charge comes with an automatic no-bond stipulation. 

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 captive lizard — a tegu — and squirrel 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 handling of these animals. 

Squirrels are considered native wildlife, and are not legal to own as a pet, said Georgia DNR spokesperson Melissa Cummings.

"The resident of the home said that the squirrel could not be released, as it was habituated enough to humans that it would not survive in the wild," Cummings added. "Georgia DNR is looking for a permitted location to send the squirrel. Until such location is determined, the animal will remain on site."

A tegu is an invasive lizard known for its ability to reproduce quickly and appetite for small animals and the eggs of various species. It was initially reported by law enforcement that the animal was banned in the United States. 

However, Cummings said tegus are not illegal to own and a permit is not necessary to have one. Along with the squirrel, the tegu will remain on the site, she added.