Barrow, Jackson deputies seize $4.9 million in marijuana, cash

By Staff (90000)

Wednesday, February 21, 2007
© Copyright 2013 Gwinnett Daily Post

WINDER - In two separate operations, Barrow and Jackson County Sheriff's deputies confiscated several pounds of marijuana worth millions on the street.

Acting on a tip Thursday, Barrow County sheriff's deputies and officials with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation discovered 594 marijuana plants and 35 pounds of packaged marijuana, with a street value of more than $2.8 million, according to Chief Deputy Murray Kogod.

In addition to the marijuana, deputies confiscated $83,911 in cash, five vehicles, various pieces of cultivation equipment and numerous bank accounts from four houses - 306 China Lane and 187 Celestial Run in Winder, and 650 Joe's Trail and 1397 Beringer Drive in Hoschton, Kogod said.

Barrow County deputies arrested Yaima Caridad Julian-Chapman, 25, and Miguel Angel Martinez-Musa, 42, both of Hoschton. They were charged with manufacturing marijuana, trafficking marijuana and conspiracy to traffic marijuana. They were denied bond and remain in the Barrow County jail.

"We researched it less than a week," Kogod said. "We acted on a tip and the information was hot."

Jackson County sheriff's deputies found marijuana plants, pots, chemicals and grow lights in two houses in Jefferson and Pendergrass Friday. Police reports state the marijuana had a street value of about $2 million.

Kety Balmaseba, 33, and Alicides Lopez, 40, both of Jefferson were arrested and charged with trafficking marijuana, according to a spokesman for the Jackson County jail. They remain in the Jackson County jail without bond.

Gwinnett Daily Post