CLINT WILLIAMS
Copyright 2006 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
A notorious street drug bazaar known as “The Cut” is out of business after an undercover drug sting resulted in 27 arrests.
A section of Canton Street north of downtown Canton has been the site of brazen drug sales, drawing buyers from across the region, said Cpl. Nicole Ebbeskotte of the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office.
“We’re not going to tolerate it,” she said.
Undercover drug agents gathered information for 10 weeks before the arrests were made May 20. Early that day, officers made traffic stops of suspects’ vehicles as they left the area after buying drugs.
Late that afternoon, SWAT teams from the sheriff’s office and the Alpharetta Police Department swarmed the area, arresting suspected street dealers with the help of K-9 units of the Holly Springs and Canton police departments. That evening, undercover police officers posing as dealers sold fake crack cocaine to would-be buyers. Two of the men arrested had children in the car as they tried to buy drugs, police said.
Those arrested ranged in age from 17 to 70. The alleged would-be buyers are from Canton, Woodstock, Jasper and Talking Rock.
Ebbeskotte said more arrests are expected as the investigation continues.