Federal authorities have charged 17 individuals in connection with an alleged armed drug trafficking operation accused of distributing fentanyl, cocaine, and other controlled substances in Athens, Georgia. The charges were announced by U.S. Attorney William R. “Will” Keyes following the unsealing of two federal indictments and a criminal complaint.
Law enforcement agencies executed 12 search warrants in Athens and Atlanta on August 26, resulting in the arrest of 13 suspects. Authorities seized 26 firearms—including rifles and a grenade launcher—along with large quantities of drugs: 26 kilograms of cocaine, 1.7 kilograms of fentanyl, approximately 500 grams of methamphetamine, crack cocaine, marijuana, pharmaceuticals, and over $63,000 in cash.
The first indictment (Case No. 3:25-CR-00010) lists ten defendants facing various charges related to conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and weapons offenses. Those named include Alicio Yanez-Pineda (“Cochito”), Josue Serda, Ulises Borja (“Liche”), Travis Arnold (“Trav”), Ariel Collins, Patrick Wilkins, Edgar Jara, Tyler Parr, Gregory Robinson, and Deshun Muckle.
According to the indictment: "from January 2024 until May 2025, Yanez-Pineda, Serda, Borja, Arnold, Wilkins, Jara, Parr, Robinson and Muckle allegedly conspired to distribute more than 400 grams of fentanyl and more than 50 grams of methamphetamine in the Athens region." The document further alleges that certain defendants maintained properties for drug distribution activities.
A second indictment (Case No. 3:25-CR-00020) names Orlando Muckle (“Lando”), Joey Campbell (“Jay”), Bernard Walker (“Nard”), Lanier Cooper (“Nier”), Myles Kolbe Cooper (“Wop”), and Tommy Lee Smith as participants in another alleged conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and cocaine since October 2020.
The indictment states: "the defendants allegedly conspired to distribute more than 400 grams of fentanyl and more than five kilograms of cocaine and cocaine base in the Athens region beginning in October 2020." It also describes premises used for storing or distributing drugs.
Additionally, Halie Marie Money is charged via criminal complaint with possession of a firearm by an unlawful drug user after she was found unconscious alongside Josue Serda outside a Walmart on June 20. Deputies observed suspected narcotics paraphernalia at the scene; subsequent investigation revealed evidence including text messages about drug use and distribution.
These actions are part of Operation Take Back America—a Department of Justice initiative aimed at combating illegal immigration-related crime networks and violent offenders through coordinated law enforcement efforts nationwide.
"The collaborative effort is part of Operation Take Back America," according to officials. The operation brings together resources from multiple programs within the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces as well as Project Safe Neighborhoods.
The FBI-Athens Middle Georgia Safe Streets Gang Task Force led the investigation with assistance from several federal agencies—including DEA—and state/local police departments across Georgia.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Mike Morrison is prosecuting these cases on behalf of the government.
"An indictment and criminal complaint are merely allegations of criminal conduct," authorities noted. "All defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in a court of law beyond a reasonable doubt."
