Atlanta Drug Trafficking Ring Dismantled; Six Sentenced for Distributing Fentanyl and Meth
Six members of a drug trafficking organization have been sentenced to federal prison for their roles in distributing significant quantities of fentanyl and methamphetamine throughout the metro-Atlanta area. The organization sourced its drugs, including liquid methamphetamine converted to crystal form, from a supplier in Mexico.
Acting U.S. Attorney Richard S. Moultrie, Jr. emphasized the danger posed by the organization, stating, “These defendants distributed substantial amounts of fentanyl and methamphetamine with no regard for the grave public safety risk. Our Office will continue to closely coordinate with our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners to prosecute drug traffickers and prevent dangerous narcotics from poisoning our communities.”
The investigation, initiated in 2022, revealed the DTO’s operations, which involved methamphetamine arriving from Mexico in liquid form and being processed into crystal methamphetamine at various locations in the metro area.
The following individuals have been convicted and sentenced for their involvement:
- Juventino Rodriguez: Sentenced to 54 months in prison followed by four years of supervised release for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute fentanyl.
- Brayan Garcia-Picasso: Sentenced to 12.5 years in prison followed by four years of supervised release for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine.
- Bryan Pacheco-Carranza: Sentenced to six years in prison followed by three years of supervised release for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine.
- Alex Chamorro-Valencia: Sentenced to eight years in prison followed by four years of supervised release for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and cocaine.
- Hedgarciney Gameno-Cortez: Sentenced to eight years in prison followed by four years of supervised release for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and cocaine.
- Erik Josue Rosales-Lopez: Sentenced to seven years in prison followed by three years of supervised release for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.
The investigation, led by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), with assistance from multiple local law enforcement agencies including the Clayton County Police Department, Henry County Police Department, Georgia State Patrol, DeKalb County Police Department, Fulton County Sheriff’s Office, and Cobb County Sheriff’s Office, successfully dismantled the organization.
Jae W. Chung, the Acting Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Atlanta Division, commented, “These drug traffickers endangered countless lives by distributing large quantities of deadly fentanyl and methamphetamine. DEA will continue to aggressively pursue the criminals that contribute to the drug crisis.”
Steven N. Schrank, Special Agent in Charge of HSI in Georgia and Alabama, added, “The defendants in this case were responsible for introducing massive quantities of deadly narcotics into the metro-Atlanta area… Through the combined efforts of HSI and our federal, state, and local partners, we’ve disrupted a dangerous supply chain and brought key members of this organization to justice.”
The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lauren E. Renaud and Sandra E. Strippoli, and former Assistant U.S. Attorney Zachary Howard.
