Nearly 60 pounds of fentanyl found in shed behind Cobb County home

A Cobb County man was arraigned in federal court Thursday after law enforcement officers discovered nearly 60 pounds of fentanyl stored in a backyard shed and more than $74,000 hidden inside a wall void.

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Michael Antonio Cruz, 32, of Mableton, appeared in court following a grand jury indictment charging him with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and fentanyl, as well as possession with intent to distribute fentanyl.

Federal authorities stated the charges stem from a multi-agency drug investigation.

On Sept. 30, federal agents executed search warrants at three homes connected to Cruz across Cobb County, leading to the seizure of bulk narcotics, processing equipment and cash.

Following his arraignment, Cruz was ordered detained in the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending further court proceedings.

During the search of a property in Austell, investigators found nearly 60 pounds of fentanyl inside a shed in the backyard. According to court records, the fentanyl was packaged into 26 individually wrapped bricks, each bearing stamped markings on both sides.

At a second home in Mableton, federal agents uncovered a drug packaging operation. The search yielded multiple scales, vacuum sealing machines, vacuum sealing packages and buckets filled with cutting agents commonly mixed with cocaine and methamphetamine. Agents also found plastic storage bins containing methamphetamine residue.

Inside the same Mableton home, officers discovered a false vent opening into a hidden void within the wall. Inside the concealed space, law enforcement seized more than $74,000 in cash.

U.S. Attorney Theodore S. Hertzberg commented on the threat posed by the seized narcotics following the court appearance.

“The staggering quantity of fentanyl Cruz allegedly possessed posed a critical threat to public health and safety. But for the intervention of law enforcement, the fentanyl could have reached the streets and had potentially fatal consequences,” Hertzberg said. “My office will continue to work closely with our law enforcement partners to aggressively prosecute the criminals who deal this poison in our community.”

Michael J. Connolly, acting special agent in charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Atlanta Field Division, spoke on the broader effort to protect communities from dangerous drugs.

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“Fentanyl continues to devastate families and communities across this country,” Connolly said. “The alleged trafficking of 60 pounds of this deadly substance underscores the magnitude of the threat we face. DEA will continue to pursue those responsible for putting profits over human lives. Our mission remains dedicated to protecting our communities, preventing drug trafficking and working toward a Fentanyl Free America.”

A federal grand jury returned the indictment on Nov. 3.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Edward C. Robinson Jr. is prosecuting the case as part of Operation Take Back America, a Department of Justice initiative targeting drug cartels and transnational criminal organizations.

The investigation was conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration, with assistance from the Cobb County Police Department, the Cobb County Sheriff’s Office and Homeland Security Investigations.

Cruz remains detained in federal custody while awaiting further court proceedings.

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