Kevin Martinez appeared in federal court on March 9 on charges related to the alleged distribution of large amounts of fentanyl in the metro-Atlanta area, according to a statement from the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Georgia. Authorities allege that Martinez operated under the direction of the La Nueva Familia Michoacana drug cartel.
The case highlights ongoing efforts by law enforcement to address the dangers posed by fentanyl and transnational criminal organizations. The U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Georgia serves as the principal federal law enforcement agency in its district, coordinating cases with nationwide and international dimensions and prioritizing prosecution of threats such as terrorism, human trafficking, and civil rights violations according to its official website.
“The defendant allegedly worked on behalf of a terrorist drug cartel, flooding our communities with massive quantities of lethal fentanyl,” said U.S. Attorney Theodore S. Hertzberg. “As a result of the tireless and courageous work of law enforcement, Martinez is in federal custody, and the cartel’s deadly drugs are off the street.”
Jae W. Chung, Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Atlanta Field Division, said: “This arrest demonstrates DEA’s unwavering commitment to combating the fentanyl crisis. The distribution of fentanyl poses an extreme danger to our communities, and we will continue to work tirelessly with our law enforcement partners to disrupt and dismantle those responsible. Through the Fentanyl Free America Initiative, DEA is intensifying efforts nationwide to keep this deadly drug off our streets and protect the American public.”
According to information presented in court, a Drug Enforcement Administration investigation found that Martinez was allegedly distributing large quantities of fentanyl stamped with a unique "Pacman" symbol eating an "LV" symbol throughout metro-Atlanta. Agents seized six pounds during traffic stops in Fulton County and Henry County on February 4 and February 18 respectively. On March 6, agents executed a search warrant at Martinez’s apartment in Doraville where they found about 44 pounds of fentanyl concealed inside car batteries along with six firearms and a money counter.
Martinez faces charges for possession with intent to distribute fentanyl but remains presumed innocent until proven guilty at trial.
The case is being investigated by multiple agencies including the Drug Enforcement Administration as well as local sheriff's offices from Newton County, Coweta County, Fulton County Police Department, and Henry County Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Eric White and Sandy Strippoli are prosecuting.
The Northern District covers a region serving approximately 7.5 million residents across north Georgia mountains, Atlanta suburbs, and borders with Alabama and the Carolinas according to its official website. The office enforces federal criminal laws while representing civil matters for the United States according to its official website.
This prosecution falls under Operation Take Back America—a national initiative aiming for elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations while protecting communities from violent crime perpetrators.
