http://www.gainesvilletimes.com/news/st ... 5214.shtml

By MATT STEWART
The Times

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Undercover narcotics officers seized nearly 50 pounds of marijuana during a drug bust Thursday in Buford. The marijuana was divided into three wrapped packages and was estimated to be valued at $100,000.

An Atlanta couple believed to be illegal immigrants were arrested Thursday in Hall County after police say they delivered nearly 50 pounds of marijuana to undercover narcotics officers.

Members of the Multi Agency Narcotics Squad, Gainesville-Hall Gang Task Force and Federal Bureau of Investigation arrested Diego Valente-Heredia, 28, and Reina Jimenez-Bernal, 25, according to MANS Lt. Scott Ware.

He said Valente-Heredia, also known as Raul Gutierrez, and Jimenez-Bernal have been charged with trafficking marijuana and possession of marijuana with intent to distribute.

The street value of the marijuana is estimated at $100,000, Ware said.

Police say Valente-Heredia and Jimenez-Bernal brought the drugs to a residence on Cherry Wood Circle at Country Side Village Mobile Home Park in Buford.

If convicted, the couple could face deportation, Hall County Sheriff's Office Maj. Jeff Strickland said. Officials with the Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement placed a hold on the suspects' bond and are looking into the allegations, he said.

Both will have a first court appearance scheduled at a later date and will be able to petition a Superior Court judge for bond at that time, Strickland said.

Thursday's arrest is the first major drug bust of 2006 in Hall County. It comes on the heels of a similar undercover operation in late November that netted 109 pounds of marijuana worth more than $200,000.