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Cherokee Co. Sheriff's Office charges Marietta man with Heroin distribution

A Marietta man has been charged after a multi-agency task force arrested him in Cherokee County for peddling a type of heroin called "Gray Death."
Schamell Anthony Powell has been accused of selling a type of heroin called "Gray Death."

WOODSTOCK, Ga. -- The Cherokee Multi-Agency Narcotics Squad says they arrested a heroin dealer who they said came to Cherokee County to peddle a substance called "Gray Death."

Cherokee Sheriff's Office Deputies and Narcotics Squad Agents arrested Schamell Anthony Powell of Marietta on Monday, May 7, after receiving a tip saying he was distributing heroin in the Woodstock area.

Deputies and agents approached Powell in the 9400 block of Highway 92 in Woodstock. When they took him into custody, Powell had about 2.5 grams of a substance believed to be Gray Death.

Powell was charged with possession of heroin with intent to distribute.

Schamell Anthony Powell has been accused of selling a type of heroin called "Gray Death."

Gray Death was discovered at the GBI crime lab a year ago.

"When the analysts would test the drug it didn't come back as one or two compounds, it came back as a variety of very potent synthetic opioids all in one," a GBI spokesperson told 11Alive.

The spokesperson said it is very potent and said she doesn't know how anyone could come back after taking Gray Death. This makes you wonder why someone would want to take it, but the GBI said some users want to see how close they can come to death.

NBC News reported that, so far, the deadly combo has been limited to the Gulf Coast, Ohio, and right here in Georgia.

“We are committed to making Cherokee County a terrible place to deal drugs," said Cherokee Multi-Agency Narcotics Squad commander Phil Price. "And the CMANS is committed to working with the Accountability Courts, the healthcare community, and all our partners in various disciplines to address this awful problem.”

The arrest is a result of inter-agency cooperation with CMANS member agencies and due to the formation of the Cherokee Multi-Agency Narcotics Squad Heroin/Opiate Team. The H.O.T. was formed specifically to combat the influx of heroin and other opioids into Cherokee County.

Anonymous tips may be called into 770-345-7920 -- or if you wish to speak to an agent, call 678-493-7625.

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