10 people convicted in Laurens County drug trafficking organization

DUBLIN, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – A federal judge sentenced 10 people to serve time in prison for their involvement in a “major drug trafficking organization” that operated in Laurens County.

According to a news release from United States Attorney Edward Tarver with the Southern District of Georgia, the judge sentenced the “leader” of the operation, 38-year-old Michael Goins of Miami, Florida, to 151 months in prison.

Tarver says in 2013, the organization trafficked close to 15 kilograms, about 33 pounds, of cocaine in Laurens County.

Also convicted and sentenced in this case included:

• 40-year-old Andre Wright of Dublin: 120 months in prison
• 36-year-old Christopher Duty of Dublin: 36 months in prison
• 31-year-old Brady Linton of Dublin: 78 months in prison
• 40-year-old Anatay Kyler of Dublin: 71 months in prison
• 40-year-old Jerome Kellam of Dublin: 30 months in prison
• 40-year-old Christopher Willis of Dublin: 39 months in prison
• 40-year-old Luther Hurst of Dublin: 5 years of probation
• 40-year-old Derrick Moye of Dublin: 50 months in prison
• 40-year-old Verdell Goins of Dublin: 41 months in prison

“The dismantling of this organization sends a very important message that drug organizations should avoid the Southern District of Georgia,” Tarver said in a statement. “I am pleased that the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Laurens County Sheriff’s Office formed a very effective partnership to dismantle this organization.”

Members of the DEA, the Laurens County Sheriff’s Department, and the United States Marshals Service conducted the lengthy investigation.