West Sugar Creek is a criminal paradise, there are murders, robberies, rapes, prostitution and crack cocaine. The meth makes the girls walk like zombies. Security at Garden Inn & Suites accused of selling drugs at motel. Stay the hell away
Justin Day, 29, Michael Boatwright, 37, Marcus Logan, 39, and Naquan Smith, 43, were all arrested on May 27, 2026 accused in a drug scheme at The Garden Inn & Suites motel on Reagan Drive Charlotte, NC. The men were working as security at the motel, and some are accused of selling drugs inside the business to undercover cops. This was a joint investigation by the FBI the Charlotte police, and The U.S. Attorney’s Office. Follow Charlotte Alerts on Instagram.
A six month undercover investigation into the distribution of fentanyl and other controlled substances in and around the hotel is what led to the arrests. Through snitches, surveillance, undercover work, controlled drug buys, and other investigative techniques, several arrests were made. During the investigation, law enforcement also seized fentanyl, cocaine base, and other narcotics as well as illegal firearms.
Four of the federally charged defendants were arrested during an early morning law enforcement operation, along with five additional individuals facing related state drug and firearms charges, bringing the total number of arrests to nine. West Sugar Creek is a terrible area filled with crime and criminals.
According to allegations contained in the indictments and the civil forfeiture complaint, The Garden Inn & Suites motel operated as a hub for drug trafficking activity. Boatwright, Day, and others were allegedly renting rooms on the property and using the rooms and other areas in and around the hotel to store and distribute drugs.
It is further alleged that other individuals, including Smith, facilitated drug trafficking and other criminal activity at the hotel. Court documents further allege that law enforcement conducted controlled purchases of narcotics and firearms from four members of the hotel’s security team, including Logan, the head of security.
The hotel security team often had extensive criminal records and/or were previously documented gang members, who used their security jobs at The Garden Inn & Suites motel as cover for dealing drugs there—with some even wearing the security uniform during the drug deals.
Court documents further allege the hotel’s owner was warned about the drug use and drug trafficking on the property, yet failed to take meaningful action to stop the criminal activity despite repeated law enforcement interventions and hundreds of 911 calls.
In 2025 alone cops responded to over 240 calls at this single location. In addition, the U.S. Attorney’s Office filed a civil forfeiture action seeking the forfeiture of The Garden Inn & Suites motel, alleging the property was a site of significant illegal drug trafficking.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office in Charlotte is in charge of the prosecution. Justin is charged with distribution of fentanyl, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and possession of a firearm by a felon. Michael is charged with two counts of distribution of fentanyl. Marcus is charged with possession of a firearm by a felon. Naquan is charged with possession of a firearm by a felon.
