In a sweeping victory for law enforcement, 38 members of a sprawling drug trafficking organization, including several Georgia prison inmates, have been sentenced for their roles in distributing deadly drugs like heroin, methamphetamine, and fentanyl across the metro-Atlanta area.
The operation, which also involved laundering drug proceeds to Mexico, was dismantled after a multi-year investigation involving federal, state, and local agencies.
The investigation revealed that inmates within Georgia’s prison system used contraband cell phones to orchestrate drug deals, coordinating the importation of narcotics from Mexico and other states.
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Outside conspirators were tasked with storing, packaging, and distributing the drugs, while others laundered millions of dollars in drug proceeds back to Mexico. The organization also employed violent tactics, including threats and a foiled plot to abduct and murder a narcotics dealer.
“The successful dismantling of this large organization is a result of a tenacious multi-year effort from federal, state, and local authorities to root out narcotics trafficking originating from state prisons,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Richard S. Moultrie, Jr. “Our office will continue to work closely with our law enforcement partners to identify, apprehend, and prosecute entire networks of offenders responsible for distributing deadly drugs into our communities.”
Over the course of the investigation, law enforcement seized staggering quantities of illegal drugs, including:
- Over 250 kilograms of methamphetamine
- 25 gallons of liquid methamphetamine
- More than 12,000 fentanyl pills
- Kilogram quantities of fentanyl powder, heroin, and marijuana
- Over $450,000 in drug proceeds
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The defendants, convicted and sentenced by U.S. District Judge Leigh Martin May, received prison terms ranging from three to 27 years. Among the key figures sentenced were:
- Juan Ramirez: 27 years in prison for conspiracy and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, heroin, and fentanyl.
- Jesus Sanchez-Morales: 27 years in prison for similar charges.
- Martin Maldonado: 19 years, seven months in prison for drug trafficking offenses.
- Benjamin Villareal Perez: 19 years, seven months in prison for his role in the conspiracy.
Other defendants, including Jaime Chavez, Aszavious Anderson, and Kristofer Ty Armistead, received sentences ranging from 15 to 17 years for their involvement in the drug ring and related firearm offenses.
“These sentences mirror the destructive impact on the community caused by this violent drug trafficking organization,” Chung said. “Wherever you operate, if you distribute dangerous drugs, DEA will find you and hold you accountable.”
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Sean Burke, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta, praised the collaborative effort that brought the organization to justice. “Thanks to the hard work and collaboration of our local, state, and federal law enforcement partners, thirty-eight members of this extensive drug distribution network will spend significant time behind bars where they will no longer be able to plague our community with poison,” Burke said.
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