ATLANTA - Two indictments, unsealed in Atlanta, charge a total of 34 people with being involved in nationwide drug distribution and transportation "cells" that coordinated the distribution of millions of dollars worth of cocaine and marijuana in the U.S. and return of the proceeds to Mexico.
Code-named "Operation Confluence," the Atlanta-based case is part of a multi-jurisdictional takedown including "Operation Dos Equis," "Operation The Family," "Operation Stinger," and "Operation Vertigo," all part of related national arrests and searches executed throughout the day yesterday.
In a news conference in Atlanta announcing the nationwide takedown, Attorney General Michael B. Mukasey said, "By spreading dangerous drugs and resorting to brutal violence, international drug cartels pose an extraordinary threat both here and abroad. The scope of the threat demands a deliberate and sustained response and the success we have had, such as the takedowns announced today, is due to the combined efforts of federal, state, local and international law enforcement. Although I am pleased with the efforts so far, we cannot and will not rest on these successes. The threat posed by international drug cartels is too great. It will take all of us working together to prevail."
United States Attorney David E. Nahmias said, "Metro Atlanta unfortunately continues to be a major drug distribution center for the Southeast and beyond. The DEA and our many other law enforcement partners continue to aggressively investigate all aspects of the drug trade. This major case is another example of their effective, coordinated efforts. The two cartel cells indicted in Atlanta acted like many shipping businesses, coordinating the transportation of truckloads of hidden drugs and millions of dollars in currency across the country and to and from Mexico. Through our sophisticated investigation and prosecutions, we have disrupted these organizations, seized large amounts of their poisons and proceeds, and now will work hard to lock up their members for many years to come."
Rodney G. Benson, Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Atlanta Field Division said, "Our success with this operation came as a direct result of the spirited cooperation between our law enforcement counterparts on all levels. We have set the bar high and have achieved great results. These high-level drug trafficking organizations were dismantled at their highest ranks. Our ultimate goal, however, is to completely eradicate these criminal enterprises and we will not rest until this mission is achieved."
According to the two indictments and information presented in court: Investigative information identified a metro Atlanta-based drug distribution cell and a transportation cell being run out of Texas and operating in several cities including Atlanta. The drug money generated by the Atlanta drug distribution cell was shipped to Texas and then Mexico via tractor trailer.
The transportation cell arranged for truck drivers to meet with drug traffickers and receive drug proceeds, which were concealed among the legitimate cargo being hauled, to such cities as Atlanta; Jackson, Mississippi; Memphis; Indianapolis; and Austin, Texas.
Using court-approved wiretaps of drug phones, extensive surveillance, and coordinated police traffic stops, the multi-state federal, state, and local investigation culminated in multiple arrests and seizures on the morning of September 16, 2008. Members of the transportation cell are charged with aiding and abetting the Atlanta drug organization's drug conspiracy, by participating in laundering its money.
"Project Reckoning," a multi-agency law enforcement effort led by the DEA, targeted the Mexican drug trafficking cartel known as the Gulf Cartel.
Federal or state charges have been unsealed against multiple defendants in multiple districts.
The Gulf Cartel is responsible for the transportation of multi-ton quantities of cocaine, methamphetamine, heroin and marijuana, from Colombia, Guatemala, Panama and Mexico to the United States as well as the distribution of those narcotics within the United States. The Gulf Cartel is also believed to be responsible for laundering multiple millions of dollars in criminal proceeds. Individuals indicted in the cases are charged with a variety of crimes, including: drug trafficking charges related to cocaine and marijuana; solicitation and conspiracy to kidnap; attempted murder; conspiracy to use a firearm in a violent crime; conspiracy to kill and kidnap in a foreign country; interstate and foreign travel in aid of racketeering; money laundering; and other related crimes.
To date, Project Reckoning has resulted in the arrest of 332 individuals and the seizure of approximately $57.7 million in U.S. currency, 16,347 kilograms of cocaine, 485 pounds of methamphetamine, 19 pounds of heroin, 51,147 pounds of marijuana, 114 vehicles and 116 weapons. Project Reckoning, a 15-month investigation, combined into one centrally coordinated effort several multi-district enforcement operations that all involved individuals with close ties to the Gulf Cartel. Operation Dos Equis, Operation Vertigo, Operation Stinger and Operation The Family as well as numerous local operations, such as Georgia's "Operation Confluence" combined to form Project Reckoning.
Named in Atlanta in the first indictment of the alleged drug distribution cell are the following defendants:
Wednesday
March 12th, 2025
8:29AM
