Smyrna Drug Trafficking Cell Stung by "Operation G-60''
Two Smyrna defendants remain federal fugitives, but DEA conducted investigation results in seizure of 312 kilograms of cocaine, approximately 1,525 kilograms of marijuana and more than $1.5 million in drug proceeds.
Federal authorities said on Wednesday that they have dismantled a significant Mexican drug trafficking ring operating out of Atlanta, but two women who headed trafficking “cells’’ based in Smyrna remain fugitives.
As part of the Drug Enforcement Administration's three-year "Operation G-60″ investigation, 16 alleged drug traffickers and money launderers were arrested Wednesday as more than $7 million worth of cocaine and more than $1 million in “dirty drug money’’ was confiscated according to U.S. Attorney Sally Quillian Yates.
The Smyrna Police Department was one of numerous state and local law enforcement agencies that assisted DEA special agents during the investigation.
“Operation G-60 has dealt a severe blow to the Mexican drug cartels operating in the metro Atlanta area,’’ Yates said. “We will continue our aggressive investigation and prosecution of drug cartels who choose to set up operations in our community.’’
One of the drug trafficking cells was in Smyrna, where Maria Madriz-Hernandez, 47, allegedly employed her daughter, Samantha Sepulveda-Madriz, 23, to distribute multi-kilogram quantities of cocaine and collect thousands of dollars of drug proceeds.
While both women remain at-large, John S. Comer, acting special agent in charge of the DEA Atlanta Field Division, praised the efforts of law enforcement officials for arresting those who allegedly were responsible for running “stash houses’’ and vehicles utilized by the drug organization in Atlanta.
"These traffickers were clearly working under the direction of Mexican drug cartel leadership," said Comer. "The substances that they distributed clearly destroyed lives."
The arrests were part of a criminal indictment handed down by a federal grand jury in May in which 32 individuals were charged for their participation in various criminal offenses. Those included conspiring and possessing with intent to distribute at least five kilograms of cocaine and at least 1,000 kilograms of marijuana, as well as related money-laundering charges.
According to Yates, and the charges and other information presented in court, the DEA began in June 2008 conducting the investigation of Mexico-based drug trafficking organizations operating in the metro area. In addition to Smyrna, other cells of operation included those in Atlanta, College Park and Johns Creek.
In September 2010, agents seized 24 kilograms of cocaine from a vehicle after a traffic stop in Gwinnett County and the investigation revealed that the cocaine deal allegedly involved Madriz-Hernandez.
The federal charges carry a maximum sentence of life in prison and a fine of up to $4 million.
Rio
11:10 pm on Thursday, June 9, 2011
A huge thanks to all our Law Enforcement Officers for everything they do to keep our community safe. It takes a very special person to put their lives on the line every time they go to work.
kathleen obrian
2:02 am on Saturday, June 11, 2011
great comment Rio and I agree
mary kirkendoll
9:15 am on Friday, June 10, 2011
A new DHS report states that drug cartels are operating in 230 American cities, a dramatic increase from 50 cities in 2006. This April, a mass grave w/ 116 bodies was discovered just south of the Texas border . Another mass grave discovered in Durango w/ 26 bodies. A Los Zetas drug kingpin Omar Estrada Luna, aka "El Kilo" was captured in connection w/ these mass killings.
These mass graves are common by violent drug cartels that will kill anyone who gets in their way...ANYONE! Just last month, a member of the violent Sinoloa cartel was senteced to 20 years for operating a cocaine operation in South Carolina. In a 4 &1/2 year period from 2006-2010, over 34,000 people have been killed in the Mexican 'drug cartel' wars. 1000 people killed in Juarez alone already this year!!
Several years ago, the 'Felix' & the 'Fuentes' cartels began buying legitimate businesses in L.A., such as resturants, used car lots & car repair shops,.. in order to create a 'comfort zone' for money laundering of millions in drug money.
I believe that the South Cobb Drive Corridor between Smyrna & Marietta has become one of the cartels 'comfort zones' for the Atlanta area.
I hope we don't wait until we start finding mass graves on 'our' side of the border, before Americans finally WAKE UP!
Cobb County Sheriff Neil Warren, the Sheriff's Dept., & the Cobb County Police Dept ., who are using the 287(g) program are the men & women that deserve the most gratitude for trying to keep our communities safe!
Becky Minter
10:17 am on Friday, June 10, 2011
No doubt, all our my fellow Smyrnians, are heartsick over what has happened to our city these past ten years. I own two businesses...three miles apart and it is amazing at the difference
in the crime rate between the two of them. I know absolutely that the other location will soon be in affected by the same level of crime. What to do? Sheriff Neil Warren has begun the process by pushing for the 287 program, but similar to leaving the back door of your home cracked open..the snakes will continually slither in, no matter how many are boxed up or killed. Action
should have been taken a long time ago before the flood gates were overwhelmed. My family feels defeated that there is no turning back and our Federal Government is absolutely the blame totally.
Becky Minter
Awards Specialist, Inc.
GaPatriot
8:48 pm on Friday, June 10, 2011
These news stories have become an everyday occurrence. Illegal aliens, major criminals and minor criminals (you know, those who just come to work for a better life for their families, have infiltrated our formerly nicely kept and maintained suburban areas. They are surrounded by illegals who are complicit by not reporting the really dangerous criminals, and honest taxpayers and citizens eventually move away.
Smyrna was always an area of smaller, lower cost housing than Vinings and East Cobb, and it has been transformed to neglected housing, the poorest performing schools, and a much higher crime rate. The separate Smyrna Police Dept. is not certified for 287 (g) and like Dalton probably has waited for far too long. Most businesses rent their space, and I see them leaving to safer, nicer areas instead of existing beside fly by night garish Spanish bars and taco stands. The homeowners have a real dilemma, their homes are unsellable. Eventually the property values will decrease to the point that most will be underwater, and these homeowners will just walk away. Seniors are stuck - too much equity.
When I drive through the downtown area, the new government center areas make the rest of Smyrna look worse by comparison. The drug cartel rules Mexico and has enough military force and ruthlessness to accomplish the same here.
kathleen obrian
1:59 am on Saturday, June 11, 2011
with sincere gratitude I thank the wonderful men and women in law enforcement , they have a powerful job to do and I pray for them to be safe ~*blessings*~
Inside-Out
3:06 am on Saturday, June 11, 2011
Does anyone else notice a strong resemblence of GaPatriot and someone else thats on here regular. They even use the same exact words. Hmmm. Nice try.
George Lee
10:11 pm on Saturday, June 11, 2011
Ga Parrot is totally MK for sure, Parrots always mimics owners! Sounds or reads identical to other posts from her. hmmmm, Your right nice try. Wish she would just use her real name is she hiding? :) nice try farmer I know the sound of 2 pennies in a jelly jar!
Inside-Out
10:20 pm on Saturday, June 11, 2011
Just as I thought.