Federal Jury Convicts Two Men in Cartel-Linked Drug Trafficking Network That Flooded Athens with Fentanyl

ATHENS, Ga. A federal jury has convicted two Georgia men for operating a cartel-linked drug trafficking organization that distributed fentanyl, methamphetamine and other controlled substances throughout the Athens area, concluding an FBI-led investigation that uncovered an extensive narcotics operation and resulted in the seizure of dozens of firearms, large quantities of drugs and more than $63,000 in cash.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Georgia announced that 26-year-old Josue Serda of Jefferson and 32-year-old Gregory Robinson of Athens were found guilty following a trial that began June 29 and concluded July 8 before U.S. District Judge Tilman E. “Tripp” Self III. Both men face maximum sentences of life in federal prison. Sentencing dates have not yet been scheduled.

Serda was convicted of conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, four counts of distributing fentanyl, one count of distributing methamphetamine, one count of distributing methamphetamine on premises where a person under the age of 18 was present, and one count of possessing a firearm as an unlawful user of a controlled substance.

Robinson was convicted of conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, distribution of fentanyl, possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, possession with intent to distribute oxycodone, and maintaining a drug-involved premises.

A third defendant, 32-year-old Ariel Collins of Athens, was acquitted of maintaining a drug-involved premises.

According to federal prosecutors, the FBI launched the investigation in 2024 after identifying Serda and Robinson as participants in a drug trafficking network that imported fentanyl and methamphetamine from a Mexican cartel for distribution in the Athens area. Investigators documented at least four separate fentanyl sales involving Serda during September and October 2024.

The investigation culminated on Aug. 26, 2025, when 13 law enforcement agencies executed multiple search warrants, including one at Serda’s home in Jefferson.

Prosecutors said Serda refused to leave the residence when agents arrived. Court records state that Serda had previously been convicted in Jackson County in 2015 of making terroristic threats after threatening a police officer and claiming he would have “his cartel” attack the officer’s family.

Authorities also cited a June 20, 2025, arrest by the Oconee County Sheriff’s Office, during which Serda and his girlfriend were found unconscious inside a vehicle with narcotics paraphernalia in plain view and a Glock 9mm pistol in the glove compartment. Prosecutors said Serda made threatening remarks to the responding deputy, stating, “You better look up my record bro, I beat police up bro. I been in prison… I ain’t scared of no police bro.”

During the Aug. 26 operation, investigators said Serda used WhatsApp to contact his alleged drug supplier in Mexico, identified in court records as Alicio Yanez-Pineda, also known as “Cochito.” Prosecutors said Serda warned him that FBI agents were at his residence and instructed that a truck carrying narcotics scheduled to arrive later that day should “turn around.”

Serda’s girlfriend also told FBI SWAT officers that he was communicating with members of the cartel while officers surrounded the home.

After Serda was taken into custody, agents searched the residence and recovered numerous firearms, including armor-piercing ammunition.

Across the investigation, law enforcement seized 26 firearms, 26 kilograms of cocaine with an estimated street value of $780,000, 1.7 kilograms of fentanyl with an estimated street value of about $60,000, approximately 500 grams of methamphetamine, 5.14 ounces of crack cocaine, 2.4 pounds of marijuana, 128 controlled pharmaceutical pills and $63,532 in cash.

Federal prosecutors said 14 additional defendants have been charged in connection with the investigation.

The case was investigated by the FBI Athens Middle Georgia Safe Streets Gang Task Force with assistance from the FBI Atlanta and Birmingham field offices, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, the Georgia Department of Corrections, the Georgia Department of Community Supervision, the Athens-Clarke County Police Department, the Gwinnett County Police Department, the Sandy Springs Police Department, the Clarke County Sheriff’s Office, the Fulton County Sheriff’s Office, the Habersham County Sheriff’s Office, the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office and the Oconee County Sheriff’s Office.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Mike Morrison is prosecuting the case.