Georgia agents bust Green-Veg cartel, discover meth stash & human trafficking

DEA Seizes 2,500+ Pounds of Crystal Meth Hidden Among Celery, Arrests Jesus Martinez Martinez

ATLANTA, GA – In a press release [1], the Drug Enforcement Administration [2] (DEA) announced a significant drug bust at the Atlanta State Farmers Market last Thursday, seizing over 2,500 pounds of crystal meth [3] concealed in a truck's cargo area among boxes of celery. The driver, Jesus Martinez Martinez, was arrested, and the meth's wholesale value is estimated at $3.2 million. [4]

"This is a significant and unbelievable amount of drugs to be shipped at one time and to a destination this far from the border. It also shows the confidence of the cartel behind this." [5] – Robert J. Murphy, Special Agent in Charge, DEA Atlanta Division [6]

This seizure highlights the alarming reach and confidence of drug cartels, with Atlanta being a notable distance from the border. It also underscores the devastating impact of the drug trade on communities, with law enforcement doing their part to stem the flow of illicit substances.

Other Recent Examples of the Devastating Drug Trade:

• California: Jing Tang Li, 32, was arrested [7] for alleged connections to over 2,000 pounds of meth intended for Australia. [8] The drugs were deceptively packaged and labeled. [9]
• Six men, including Matthew James Byrne, 43, are charged with running a "drug empire" [10], smuggling $5 million worth of meth and cocaine [11] inside karaoke speakers from California to Pennsylvania. [12]

These incidents demonstrate the urgency of addressing the root causes of drug addiction and tackling the devastating impact of the drug trade on communities, both locally and internationally. The labor of law enforcement is important and necessary, and we must demand a comprehensive approach to ending the enslavement of addiction and the massive profits of the illegal drug trade.

References:

[1] Email statement from DEA to USA TODAY: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2023/07/11/dea-finds-2500-pounds-meth-concealed-celery-boxes-georgia/117612100/
[2] Drug Enforcement Administration: https://www.dea.gov/
[3] Crystal meth: https://www.drugabuse.gov/drugs-abuse/methamphetamine-meth
[4] Wholesale value of seizure: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2023/07/11/dea-finds-2500-pounds-meth-concealed-celery-boxes-georgia/117612100/
[5], [6] Statement by Robert J. Murphy, Special Agent in Charge, DEA Atlanta Division: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2023/07/11/dea-finds-2500-pounds-meth-concealed-celery-boxes-georgia/117612100/
[7] Arrest of Jing Tang Li: https://www.justice.gov/usao-cdca/pr/el-monte-man-charged-connection-attempts-ship-more-1000-kilograms-methamphetamine
[8] Connection to Australia: https://apnews.com/article/meth-los-angeles-el-monte-australia-shipping-drugs-4694ce6083b3a273a58bbbdfc3d7e889
[9] Deceptive packaging: https://apnews.com/article/meth-los-angeles-el-monte-australia-shipping-drugs-4694ce6083b3a273a58bbbdfc3d7e889
[10] "Drug empire" charges: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2023/07/11/ Ghosh, N. (2023, July 12). 6 men charged in multimillion-dollar meth, cocaine smuggling operation, officials say. USA TODAY. https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2023/07/12/6-men-charged-multimillion-dollar-meth-cocaine-smuggling-operation/117530900/
[11] Value of drugs seized: https://bucks.crimewatchpa.com/da/29567/post/da-california-bucks-county-drug-ring-dismantled-smuggled-millions-meth-cocaine-inside
[12] Smuggling operation details: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2023/07/11/ Ghosh, N. (2023, July 12). 6 men charged in multimillion-dollar meth, cocaine smuggling operation, officials say. USA TODAY. https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2023/07/12/6-men-charged-multimillion-dollar-meth-cocaine-smuggling-operation/117530900/