SANDY SPRINGS, Ga. — Sandy Springs police say a months-long investigation by several north metro law enforcement agencies has broken up a significant source of heroin to the northern suburbs.
“They had a pretty big heroin operation that was pretty much servicing the North Fulton area,” Sgt. Ron Momon told Channel 2’s Mike Petchenik exclusively on Friday.
Momon said tips from neighbors at the Hunter’s Glen Apartments off Roberts Drive led officers to conduct surveillance on several units there, identifying potential suspects.
Momon said detectives determined none of the suspects lived on the property, but were using apartments to stash large amounts of drugs, cash and guns.
Sandy Springs detectives worked with their counterparts in Roswell, Alpharetta, Duluth and at the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office.
“During the course of our investigation we gathered enough evidence to take out warrants for all these subjects and subsequently charge them,” said Momon.
Neighbors told Petchenik they were surprised to hear of the bust.
“I just feel like that’s really crazy because we have all these kids down here,” said Celeste Moon. “For them to be coming in here and selling heroin and all that, I feel they need to be locked up.”
So far, police say they’ve charged five people in connection with the operation:
- Jayson Johnson is facing charges of trafficking heroin, possession with intent to distribute cocaine, possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, two counts of possession with intent to distribute heroin for the two undercover buys, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, obstruction, fleeing and attempting to elude, leaving the scene of an accident, obedience to traffic control device and driving while license suspended.
- Eddie Lee Davis faces charges in Cherokee County of possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony and multiple traffic offenses.
- Kimberly Reed faces charges in Cherokee County of four counts of possession with intent to distribute heroin for four undercover buys.
- Mona Lisa Muzac faces charges in Fulton County of possession of methamphetamine and two counts of possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony.
- Kenji Horne faces charges in Fulton County of possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, and possession of meth with intent to distribute, and multiple traffic-related charges.
“They wanted to make it convenient for folks driving down to 'The Bluff' to make their drug transactions,” said Momon.
Momon said the apartment complex’s proximity to Ga. 400 made it appealing to the traffickers.
Momon said Sandy Springs has seen a spike in heroin overdoses, and other local police departments have reported similar issues. Police hope the arrests will put a dent in the heroin trade.
One local mother who knows all too well how heroin can have tragic consequences told Petchenik she’s thankful to hear police are aggressively going after heroin dealers.
“We’re just so glad to hear the police are making greater efforts to get this dangerous drug off the street,” said Rita Bennett of Johns Creek.
Bennett’s daughter, Chelsea, died last year after prosecutors said a friend injected her with a lethal dose of heroin during a night of partying at his Alpharetta home.
“Heroin has brought a lot of hurt to us,” she said. “It took Chelsea’s life and it was very tragic.”
WSBTV
