48 charged in NE Georgia drug trafficking busts, GBI says

A drug trafficking crackdown in northeast Georgia led to 48 arrests and the seizure of more than $700,000 worth of heroin and methamphetamine, authorities said Friday.

The 11-month investigation into the large-scale distribution operation was conducted by members of the GBI, FBI and local law enforcement agencies, GBI Director Vic Reynolds said.

In all, four dozen people were charged and 12 search warrants were executed across metro Atlanta and the northeast portion of the state, Reynolds said, adding additional arrests in the case are likely.

“As of this morning, we have seized 50 kilos of methamphetamine and half a kilo of heroin,” he told reporters.

Those arrested are charged with violating the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act.

Addressing reporters at the Hall County Sheriff’s Office, officials said they also discovered a suspected meth processing lab used to convert liquid methamphetamine into solid crystals for sale.

Forsyth County Sheriff Ron Freeman said seizing such a large quantity of drugs and arresting suspected dealers would help curb crime in communities across the state.

“This is not just a drug bust,” he said. “This is the disruption of a criminal element.”

With ~ 50 kilograms of methamphetamine seized & 48 in custody, a major Drug Trafficking Organization has been dismantled in "Operation Taking Care of Business”https://t.co/Xgl5qYzUHl pic.twitter.com/4YCDWRVt2g
— GA Bureau of Investigation (@GBI_GA) July 10, 2020

In addition to the large quantities of heroin and meth, authorities seized 20 firearms, six vehicles and about $70,000 in cash, Reynolds said, touting the partnership between federal, state and local law enforcement.

“The criminal endeavor, particularly in this day and time, does not stop at a county line,” he said. “There’s no boundaries for them.”

The 48 people charged include:

•Tanya Lynn Allison, 48

•Katlynn Marie Beaucaire

•Richard Daniel Burkett

•Dulcey Burton, 51

•Alejandro Ceja-Solano

•Jose Alfredo Miranda Chavez

•Jessica Marie Clark, 28

•Noah Coker

•Mark Coker

•Joshua Collins