GEORGIA — Authorities arrested three men with alleged ties to a Mexican drug cartel and seized more than 500 pounds of marijuana during a multi-agency operation in metro Atlanta this week, according to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI).
Between Wednesday and Thursday, agents executed five search warrants in Woodstock, Sandy Springs, and Atlanta.
In addition to the marijuana, investigators recovered nine firearms, the GBI said.
The suspects — 52-year-old Jubenal Farfan Arellano and 33-year-old Omar Flores Mena, both of Mexico, and 29-year-old Jose Radilla Maldonado of Sandy Springs — were arrested on charges of racketeering and conspiracy to violate the Georgia Controlled Substances Act.
Flores also faces charges of possessing cocaine and methamphetamine.
All three were booked into the Cherokee County Jail. Officials said additional charges and arrests are expected.
According to the GBI, the investigation revealed that associates of the Cartel Jalisco New Generation (CJNG) were collaborating with metro Atlanta contacts to traffic drugs and firearms.
The operation involved multiple agencies, including the GBI Appalachian Regional Drug Enforcement Office, the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office Multi-Agency Narcotics Squad, Atlanta Police, Sandy Springs Police, and the Homeland Security Investigations Violent Gang Task Force.
