Six individuals involved in a drug trafficking organization have been sentenced for distributing fentanyl and methamphetamine in the metro-Atlanta area. Acting U.S. Attorney Richard S. Moultrie, Jr. stated, “These defendants distributed substantial amounts of fentanyl and methamphetamine with no regard for the grave public safety risk.” He emphasized the ongoing coordination with law enforcement to prosecute traffickers.
Jae W. Chung, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Atlanta Division, remarked on the danger posed by these traffickers: “DEA will continue to aggressively pursue the criminals that contribute to the drug crisis.”
Steven N. Schrank from Homeland Security Investigations highlighted their role in dismantling transnational organizations: “Through the combined efforts of HSI and our federal, state, and local partners, we’ve disrupted a dangerous supply chain and brought key members of this organization to justice.”
The investigation began in 2022 when agents discovered drugs from a Mexico-based supplier being distributed in Atlanta. The drugs included methamphetamine converted from liquid form.
Erik Rosales-Lopez was arrested in December 2022 at a site used for processing liquid methamphetamine mixed with paint. In April 2023, Brayan Garcia-Picasso and Bryan Pacheco-Carranza were apprehended after leaving a suspected meth lab; police seized 16 kilograms of methamphetamine during a traffic stop.
Further investigations led to Alex Chamorro-Valencia’s arrest in June 2023 after nearly a kilogram of methamphetamine was found in his vehicle. A search revealed another lab containing large quantities of liquid and crystal methamphetamine where Hedgarciney Gameno-Cortez was also arrested.
The sentences are as follows:
– Juventino Rodriguez received 54 months in prison followed by four years of supervised release.
– Garcia-Picasso was sentenced to 12-and-a-half years in prison followed by four years of supervised release.
– Pacheco-Carranza received six years in prison followed by three years of supervised release.
– Chamorro-Valencia was sentenced to eight years in prison followed by four years of supervised release.
– Gameno-Cortez received eight years in prison followed by four years of supervised release.
– Rosales-Lopez was sentenced to seven years in prison followed by three years of supervised release.
The case involved multiple agencies including DEA, Homeland Security Investigations, Clayton County Police Department, Henry County Police Department, Georgia State Patrol, DeKalb County Police Department, Fulton County Sheriff’s Office, and Cobb County Sheriff’s Office.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lauren E. Renaud and Sandra E. Strippoli prosecuted the case as part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces operation aimed at eliminating major drug trafficking organizations.
For more information contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office or visit their website.
