Prosecutors: Washington State Prison inmate tied to cartel-linked drug ring

Prosecutors say the inmate used contraband cellphones while housed at Washington State Prison to help coordinate methamphetamine and fentanyl trafficking.

DAVISBORO, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Federal prosecutors say an inmate housed at Washington State Prison helped direct a large methamphetamine and fentanyl trafficking network tied to Mexican cartels.

According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Georgia, seven people have been indicted following a Homeland Security Task Force investigation led by Homeland Security Investigations and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.

Prosecutors say Luis Alfonso Ramirez, also known as “Poncho” and “OG Ponch,” was housed at Washington State Prison when he helped coordinate the trafficking operation using contraband cellphones.

Court documents say Ramirez is a member of the Norteños criminal street gang with ties to Mexican drug cartels. Investigators say the operation distributed methamphetamine and fentanyl across several Georgia counties, including Hall, Cobb, Gwinnett, DeKalb, Fulton, Douglas and Spalding counties.

During the investigation, law enforcement seized about 35 kilograms of suspected crystal methamphetamine, 3.5 kilograms of suspected fentanyl, more than $145,000 in cash and uncovered two clandestine drug labs, according to prosecutors.

Ramirez and the six other defendants are charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and distribute controlled substances. Prosecutors say each defendant faces up to life in prison if convicted.

Federal prosecutors say four of the defendants were in the United States illegally and had previously been deported or removed.