UNDATED - Federal agents have arrested suspects in Habersham, Barrow and Gwinnett counties as part of an operation to take down a multi-state Mexican drug cartel.
At least six North Georgia suspects are among the 41 people charged in connection with the large-scale drug distribution and money laundering scheme that operates in North Georgia and South Texas.
"The organization operated primarily trafficking narcotics from the border here to Atlanta for distribution throughout the Southeast and the East Coast, and then moving the proceeds of that activity back to Mexico," said Ken Smith, a Special Agent in Charge for the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Federal investigators have identified the North Georgia suspects as: Salvador Marillo, 42, of Cornelia; Gilberto Almanza aka "El Comandante," 44, of Lithonia; Roberto Ciriacio, 39, of Lawrenceville; Luz Marina, 39, of Auburn; Natalia Bedoya, 23, of Lawrenceville; and Roberto Noe Garcia aka "Roberto Robles," 38, of Lawrenceville.
Smith said $22 million has been seized from the organization since the investigation began in November 2006. He said that's a record amount for an Atlanta case.
"Any time that you can seize that amount of money from an organization it can put a significant dent in their operation," Smith said.
Agents said the alleged members now face long sentences in federal prison if convicted.
Friday
May 2nd, 2025
1:48PM
