31 Defendants Charged With Drug Trafficking, Firearms And Money Laundering Offenses Following Undercover Investigation

United States Attorney for the Middle District of Georgia, Michael J. Moore, announced today that an indictment was returned by a grand jury sitting in the United States District Court in Macon, Georgia on September 9, 2015, which charged 31 defendants with drug trafficking, firearms and money laundering offenses. During “Makon Money”, Federal agents, assisted by state and local law enforcement officers, investigated a large scale drug organization based in Macon, Georgia. Over the course of the investigation, federal agents seized large amounts of cocaine, marijuana, and cash.

Penalties for the charges range from a mandatory minimum 5 years up to life in prison without parole. Fines range from $250,000 to 10 million dollars.

United States Attorney Michael Moore stated, “This drug distribution conspiracy was literally responsible for putting tons of poison on the streets of Middle Georgia.  Just like we have done here, my office will use all of our resources to make sure that drug dealers go to prison.”

Thomas Noyes, Inspector in Charge of the Charlotte Division stated, “Postal Inspectors’ primary objectives are to rid the mail of illicit drug trafficking, preserve the integrity of the mail, and most important, provide a safe environment for postal employees and the American public.  This is an excellent example of partnership between law enforcement agencies.”

“IRS Criminal Investigation is proud to be an integral part of this multi-agency OCDETF investigation,” stated Veronica F. Hyman-Pillot, Special Agent in Charge of the Atlanta Field Office. “It is our goal as financial investigators to assist our law enforcement partners in dismantling drug trafficking organizations at every level. IRS-CI has the financial investigators and expertise that is critical to locating the money and prosecuting the offenders.” 

A copy of the indictment is attached. The indictment is only an allegation of criminal conduct. Each person is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in a court of law.

The case was investigated by the US Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI), the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the Bibb County Sheriff’s Office, and the Oconee Regional Drug Task Force. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Charles Calhoun and Beth Howard are prosecuting the case for the Government.          

For additional information, please contact Pamela Lightsey at (478) 621-2603.