200 Pounds of Meth Seized in Cherokee County

CANTON, Ga. — Cherokee County deputies seized about 200 pounds of methamphetamine this week, the largest meth bust in county history. Investigators say the $500,000 shipment is tied to an international network with links to El Salvador, Mexico, and MS-13. Deputies found the drugs inside a Canton storage facility.

The scope of the operation shows how deeply organized crime has penetrated Metro Atlanta’s suburban counties. A shipment this large represents a distribution pipeline capable of reaching Cherokee, Cobb, Forsyth, north Fulton, and Gwinnett. Law enforcement officers across the metro region continue to report meth as a major driver of violent encounters, erratic behavior, and property crime.

The MS-13 connection is significant. On February 20, 2025, the U.S. Department of State formally designated MS-13 as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) under President Trump’s expanded national-security policies. Several cartels have received similar designations, giving federal agencies broader tools to investigate and dismantle these networks. When an FTO-linked group is storing 200 pounds of meth in suburban Georgia, it signals strategic placement—not accidental activity.

Officials say the success of this investigation resulted from coordinated work between local, state, and federal partners. Continued multi-agency intelligence sharing remains critical as trafficking groups exploit Metro Atlanta’s interstate access and storage infrastructure.

This historic seizure is a major win, but it also confirms that global criminal organizations are operating inside the metro region. The challenge for law enforcement is ongoing, and the stakes for public safety across suburban Atlanta continue to rise.