Tifton Defendant Pleads Guilty On Drug Charge, Hauling Kilos Of Meth, Cocaine On I-75

MACON – A Tifton woman pled guilty Wednesday on a drug charge after she was arrested carrying four kilos of meth and cocaine in her car with the intent to distribute the illegal drugs, said Charles “Charlie” Peeler, the United States Attorney for the Middle District of Georgia. Anna Maria Lopez-Vazquez, 32, of Tifton, GA entered a guilty plea to one count Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine before the Honorable Marc Treadwell in Macon federal court on February 13, 2019. This charge carries a penalty of ten years up to life in prison, a $10 million fine, and five years supervised release. A sentencing date for Ms. Lopez-Vasquez has not been scheduled.

According to her signed plea agreement, on May 18, 2017, Anna Maria Lopez-Vasquez was driving a Yukon SUV southbound on I-75 in Peach County, Georgia. She was accompanied by a passenger, who was not charged in this crime. A Peach County deputy on patrol in the area spotted the SUV with an obscured license and failing to maintain its lane of traffic, both traffic infractions in Georgia. During the traffic stop, the deputy smelled a strong odor of marijuana. Following a legal search of the vehicle, 2,942 grams of methamphetamine and 999 grams of cocaine were found in three containers, sealed with plastic wrap, hidden inside a sports bag. Ms. Lopez-Vasquez and the passenger were arrested. In a post-arrest interview, Ms. Lopez-Vasquez admitted that the drugs belonged to her. She denied any involvement by the passenger.

“Methamphetamine is one of the most addictive, destructive drugs of our day, and people who profit from its sale will be caught and held accountable in the Middle District of Georgia,” said Charles “Charlie” Peeler, the U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Georgia. “Getting this volume of illegal drugs off the streets saved countless lives. I am grateful for the good work of our local law enforcement teams who continue to do everything in their power to stop the distribution of meth into our communities.”

The case is being investigated by The Drug Enforcement Agency and the Peach County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles Calhoun is prosecuting the case for the Government. Questions can be directed to Pamela Lightsey, Public Information Officer, United States Attorney’s Office, at (478) 621-2603 or Melissa Hodges, Public Affairs Director (Contractor), United States Attorney’s Office, at (478) 765-2362.