Ryan K. Buchanan, U.S. Attorney | U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Georgia
Thirty-eight individuals involved in a significant drug trafficking operation, including several inmates from Georgia state prisons, have been sentenced for their roles in distributing heroin, methamphetamine, and fentanyl across the metro-Atlanta area. The organization also laundered drug proceeds to Mexico.
Acting U.S. Attorney Richard S. Moultrie, Jr., stated that dismantling this large organization was due to "a tenacious multi-year effort from federal, state, and local authorities." He emphasized the ongoing commitment to work with law enforcement partners to combat narcotics trafficking.
Jae W. Chung of the DEA Atlanta Division remarked on the sentences reflecting the impact of this violent drug trafficking organization on the community. Sean Burke of FBI Atlanta highlighted the collaboration among various law enforcement agencies that led to these convictions.
The investigation revealed that prison inmates used contraband cell phones to coordinate drug transactions throughout metro-Atlanta. They relied on external conspirators for storing and distributing drugs while laundering proceeds back to Mexico through local money remitters. Violence was a tool used by the organization against uncooperative members.
Following an extensive investigation, 19 conspirators were initially indicted for drug trafficking and money laundering offenses by a Grand Jury in Georgia's Northern District. Further investigations identified additional key players like Jesus Sanchez-Morales and Juan Ramirez who were later indicted as well.
Over 250 kilograms of methamphetamine, 25 gallons of liquid methamphetamine, more than 12,000 fentanyl pills, kilogram quantities of fentanyl powder, heroin, marijuana, and over $450,000 in drug proceeds were seized during this operation.
U.S. District Judge Leigh Martin May sentenced several defendants including Juan Ramirez and Jesus Sanchez-Morales each receiving 27 years in prison followed by supervised release terms. Other sentences ranged from three years up to nearly two decades depending on individual involvement and charges.
This case involved efforts from multiple agencies such as the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF), U.S Immigration Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), United States Marshals Service (USMS), along with numerous local police departments across Georgia.
Assistant United States Attorneys Alison B. Prout et al., prosecuted this case under an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation aimed at dismantling high-level criminal organizations threatening U.S security using coordinated intelligence-driven approaches involving multiple agencies nationwide.
For further information contact: U.S Attorney’s Public Affairs Office via email USAGAN.PressEmails@usdoj.gov or phone at (404) 581-6280; visit http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga online for more details about ongoing legal proceedings within Northern Districts jurisdictional boundaries regarding similar cases impacting regional safety standards statewide today!
