A man pleaded guilty Monday to participating in an illegal tobacco trafficking ring operating in Gwinnett County.

Emmanuel Joseph was sentenced to one year of house arrest and four years on probation after he pleaded guilty in Gwinnett Superior Court to possession of cigarettes with counterfeit stamps.

Judge Ronnie K. Batchelor also ordered Joseph to pay restitution of $46,276, the Georgia Attorney General's Office announced. His sentence will be suspended when he pays restitution and returns to India.

A Gwinnett grand jury last week indicted 41 people in connection with the tobacco ring, which was uncovered in a three-year investigation by federal, state and local authorities.

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The city of Brookhaven's mayor and City Council last week decided to remove the colored panes of glass from the dome of Brookhaven's new City Centre after residents objected to the brightness of the colors, seen here Friday, June 27, 2025. (Reed Williams/AJC)

Credit: Reed Williams/AJC