Atlanta, GA – The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) announced the seizure of more than 1,000 pounds of methamphetamine in two separate drug busts in DeKalb County, officials confirmed. The busts led to the arrest of five men, all immigrants from Mexico, believed to be tied to the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG).
Arrests and Suspects
The men charged in connection with the busts are:
- Wilber Castellanos Villazana
- Yamilet Calixto Sotelo
- Jorge Lorenzo Manzanarez
- Esteban Jacobo-Suarez
- Damien Gomez-Guijarro
Authorities noted that Jacobo-Suarez is a twice-deported individual from Mexico, while Villazana, Sotelo, and Manzanarez are believed to have entered the U.S. illegally. As per ANF, all suspects are currently in federal custody and face charges of possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute.
Details of the Busts
The DEA conducted operations at two DeKalb County residences, seizing the bulk of the methamphetamine from an apartment showcased during a Monday press conference. Officials also recovered a firearm and $12,000 in cash.
The busts followed undercover operations:
- On September 15, a kilo of meth was sold to an undercover DEA agent at an apartment complex.
- On September 17, another kilo was sold, prompting searches that uncovered 10 kilograms in a car and around 131 kilograms in a residence.
Cartel Connection
The DEA confirmed that the drugs are linked to the CJNG, an ultra-violent Mexico-based drug cartel. Robert Murphy, special agent in charge of the DEA Atlanta Division, said, “The CJNG cartel is a significant threat to public safety, public health, and the national security of the United States. DEA will target every level of their supply chain to disrupt and destroy their networks.”
Authorities also emphasized that CJNG and other cartels are active in north Georgia, posing ongoing risks to communities in the region.
Federal Response
U.S. Attorney Theodore S. Hertzberg said,
“Within just a few days, undercover investigations in the metro Atlanta area led to the seizure of more than half a ton of methamphetamine, the arrests of four illegal aliens allegedly responsible for distributing those deadly drugs, and the disruption of two drug trafficking rings. My office will continue to proudly partner with federal, state, and local crimefighters to protect the public and eliminate the scourge of drug trafficking.”
Community Warning
Authorities urged residents to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity or drug-related crimes to local law enforcement. DEA officials also stressed the dangers of methamphetamine distribution and the ongoing threat posed by Mexican cartels operating in the U.S.
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