Richard S. Moultrie, Jr. Acting United States Attorney for the Northern District of Georgia | U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Georgia
Adan Macedo-Rios, a 52-year-old Mexican national unlawfully residing in the United States, has been convicted on multiple charges including drug trafficking, money laundering, robbery, and illegal firearm possession. His conviction follows an investigation that disrupted his plan to rob a rival cocaine supplier.
"Macedo-Rios, an illegal alien, distributed large amounts of dangerous drugs and laundered his ill-gotten gains through the purchase of a Georgia horse ranch," stated U.S. Attorney Theodore S. Hertzberg. He emphasized the collaboration with law enforcement that led to dismantling Macedo-Rios's operations and mitigating violent crime threats.
Jae W. Chung from the DEA Atlanta Division highlighted their dedication to combating transnational criminal organizations: "This investigation demonstrates DEA’s commitment to destroying these drug trafficking and money laundering organizations."
Paul Brown of FBI Atlanta reassured residents about their safety efforts: "For all the innocent residents who are trying to raise families in safe communities, the FBI wants you to know that we are here for you through arrests like this."
Steven N. Schrank from Homeland Security Investigations remarked on the success against drug trafficking: "Thanks to the hard work of our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners, we’ve turned his ‘stable’ of crime into a one-way ticket to accountability!"
Macedo-Rios was found guilty of supplying over 123 kilograms of cocaine across several states. The DEA intercepted communications leading to significant seizures and foiled his robbery plans involving firearms against another supplier.
At his arrest at a Loganville ranch fraudulently purchased with criminal proceeds, authorities found firearms despite Macedo-Rios's status as a prohibited possessor due to previous deportations.
On May 28, 2025, he pleaded guilty before Judge J.P. Boulee to conspiracy charges related to drug distribution and robbery among others. Sentencing is set for August 26, 2025.
The case involved multiple agencies including DEA, ATF, FBI, ICE’s Homeland Security Investigations with support from Georgia State Patrol and Gwinnett County Sheriff’s Office.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys John T. DeGenova and Rebeca M. Ojeda are prosecuting under Operation Take Back America aimed at eliminating cartels and protecting communities from violent crime.
The prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) Strike Force Initiative targeting major drug traffickers in Atlanta under collaborative efforts from various federal agencies.
For further information contact U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office at USAGAN.PressEmails@usdoj.gov or (404) 581-6280.
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