Federal prosecutors say a grenade launcher, 26 firearms and nearly $1 million worth of drugs and cash were seized as part of an Athens-area bust that led to charges against 17 people.
Thirteen agencies joined forces to execute search warrants in Athens and Atlanta on Tuesday, resulting in 13 arrests. Investigators recovered 26 kilograms of cocaine, 1.7 kilograms of fentanyl, 500 grams of methamphetamine, 5.14 ounces of crack cocaine, 2.4 pounds of marijuana, 128 pharmaceutical pills and more than $63,000 in cash. The cocaine and fentanyl alone carried an estimated street value of $840,000, authorities said.
Prosecutors say the indictments outline an alleged armed drug trafficking network. One case alleges that nine people conspired between January 2024 and May 2025 to distribute more than 400 grams of fentanyl and 50 grams of methamphetamine, including from alleged drug houses in Athens. Several defendants face firearms charges tied to drug activity.
A second indictment accuses six people of distributing cocaine and fentanyl from multiple Athens locations since October 2020. Prosecutors noted that several defendants in this case had prior felony drug convictions.
The charges stem from “Operation Take Back America,” a Department of Justice initiative targeting violent crime, drug trafficking and cartel activity nationwide.
The FBI’s Athens Middle Georgia Safe Streets Gang Task Force led the investigation, with assistance from more than a dozen federal, state and local agencies.
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