ATLANTA (WJBF) — Federal and local investigators stopped a major meth trafficking operation just before Thanksgiving, seizing nearly 1,600 pounds of methamphetamine at two locations in Georgia.
According to the FBI, the drugs were hidden inside large containers of blackberries at sites in southeast Atlanta and Gainesville. Officials say the bust is part of a growing trend of drug cartels using produce shipments to disguise narcotics.
A joint investigation between the FBI, GBI, U.S. Attorney’s Office, and the Hall County Sheriff’s Office resulted in federal charges for two suspects: an undocumented immigrant, and an Atlanta man connected to the drug operation.
Officials say the investigation is ongoing, and more arrests are possible.
FBI Special Agent Paul Brown said the seizure represents a major blow to drug operations in North Georgia. He noted that the bust follows the launch of a new Homeland Security Task Force, created just last month to target drug- and gun-trafficking networks.
U.S. Attorney Theodore Hertzberg said this is the latest in a series of large drug seizures involving produce.
“Just in the past few months, we’ve seen drugs smuggled in with cucumbers, celery, jalapeño peppers, and now blackberries,” he said.
This operation comes on the heels of another major case in metro Atlanta. Last month, FBI agents seized 21 kilograms of fentanyl and nearly $400,000 in cash from a rental home in Forest Park, near Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.
Authorities say they are continuing to investigate the source of the blackberry shipments and the cartel behind the operation. Because the case is active, officials have not publicly named the cartel involved.