2 sentenced in cartel-linked Georgia drug investigations

Federal prosecutors say three investigations led to the seizure of more than 200 kilograms of illegal drugs and dozens of firearms. A third man faces drug and weapons charges.

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) — Two men have been sentenced to life and 30 years in federal prison, and a third faces drug and weapons charges, as authorities announce the results of three cartel-linked drug trafficking investigations that led to the seizure of over 200 kilograms of illegal drugs and dozens of firearms.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Georgia made the announcement Friday alongside federal, state and local law enforcement partners. The investigations targeted organizations accused of distributing large quantities of fentanyl, methamphetamine and cocaine.

“A year ago, we gathered the FBI leader to announce our effort with homeland security task force to combat transnational organized crime here in Georgia,” U.S. Attorney Will Keyes said. “This is an effort that’s taking place across the country, and we’re here to announce the results of that homeland security task force effort here a year later after we kicked that off.”

An Athens-area drug trafficking case linked to a Mexican cartel ended with a life sentence for 28-year-old Josue Serda of Jefferson. Serda was sentenced Thursday at the federal courthouse in Macon after being convicted of multiple drug trafficking and weapons charges.

Investigators identified Serda as a supplier for the Cartel Jalisco Nueva Generación, or CJNG, in a conspiracy involving large quantities of methamphetamine and fentanyl. Keyes says the crimes Serda was convicted of represented only a portion of his criminal activity.

“This is a man who was moving these kilograms of fentanyl, at times moving the fentanyl with his toddler present in the room while he did the deal,” he said. “This is a man who sent a message, and in that message, this was used actually in court. The message, he acknowledges that the fentanyl he was moving kills people but said that the money was just too good. This is a man who was previously convicted of threatening to have his cartel cut up the family of a law enforcement officer.”

Keyes says the investigations are leading to lengthy prison sentences for people involved in cartel-linked drug trafficking, including 52-year-old Orlando Muckle of Athens, who was sentenced Thursday to 30 years in federal prison.

Muckle pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute cocaine. Prosecutors say he obtained cocaine through sources associated with the Gulf Cartel. Investigators seized 26 kilograms of cocaine during the investigation.

“Attention to Mr. Orlando Muckle, a.k.a. Lando,” Keyes said. “So, this is a separate homeland security task force case. He was transporting massive amounts of cocaine for the gulf cartel, and so the CDG, the acronym. This is a designated foreign terrorist organization. He was caught in this case with 26 kilograms of cocaine.”

Officials also mentioned the case of 30-year-old Raul Perez-Mondragon of Mexico, who made his initial federal court appearance Thursday and remains in custody.

Perez-Mondragon faces multiple drug and weapons charges. Prosecutors say he was involved in distributing large quantities of methamphetamine through an organization with ties to a transnational criminal group. Investigators seized over 100 kilograms of methamphetamine and multiple firearms during the investigation.

The charges against Perez-Mondragon are allegations, and he is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.

“This is an ongoing effort that we’re all working together here in the Middle District of Georgia to bring justice to these organizations influencing the landscape here in Georgia,” Keyes said.

Keyes says the investigations required a large-scale effort involving law enforcement agencies working together. He also emphasized the dangers officers face while investigating drug trafficking organizations.

“First, how lucky we are to have these law enforcement officers in Georgia doing this work,” Keyes said. “Based off the facts that I just told you, I can assure you these are very dangerous cases. This is a dangerous line of work that they are in.”

Officials say the investigations are part of the ongoing Homeland Security Task Force initiative to disrupt cartel-linked drug trafficking operations.