Raids in Gwinnett, Johns Creek net 17 arrests, millions in cash, drugs

Law enforcement agencies say they have struck another blow against the powerful Mexican drug trafficking organization known as the Gulf Cartel.

Cops say 17 people suspected of being involved in the cartel were arrested in predawn raids at 11 locations in Gwinnett County and Johns Creek.

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VINO WONG / vwong@ajc.com

FBI agents Indiana Kurosad, left, and Jeff Strausser display over 20 high powered assault weapons seized along with over a ton of drugs during a press conference on the campus of Gwinnett Technical College Wednesday.

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More than $3.6 million in cash, 800 kilograms of cocaine worth $20 million, $5 million worth of methamphetamine and 2,000 pounds of marijuana was confiscated during the 18-month-long investigation, said Greg Jones, special agent in charge of the FBI field office in Atlanta.

Jones said wire taps, electronic surveillance and confidential sources were used in the investigation.

On Nov. 15, 2008, intercepted phone calls led authorities to search a tractor-trailer that left an Atlanta warehouse headed for McAllen, Texas. Inside, $2 million was concealed in a load of frozen pork products. Another tractor-trailer bound for Atlanta from Texas was intercepted on I-20 eastbound on Dec. 10, 2008. Its load of cabbage hid about 145 pounds of methamphetamine and 391 kilograms of cocaine, according to the federal indictment.

In what authorities labeled “Operation Grand Finale” on Wednesday, about 200 officers from federal, state and local law enforcement agencies fanned out and simultaneously raided 11 locations, Jones said. The suspects were caught off-guard and did not offer resistance, although about 20 high-powered assault weapons were seized at the locations, he said.

The arrests hit people “at the top of the cell all the way through,” Jones said. “I think every arrest hurts, every seizure hurts.”

Jones said the cartel has been bringing drugs into the country over the Texas border via tractor-trailers and small vehicles equipped with hidden compartments.

Metro Atlanta is a main distribution hub for the drug-runners along the East Coast, authorities say. The proceeds from sales are shipped back to Mexico via the same route.