DEA Investigation Yields Large Operational Crystal Methamphetamine/Ice Coversion Lab
Five Children Removed Out Of Harm’s Way
ATLANTA - Daniel R. Salter, the Special Agent in (SAC) of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration’(DEA) Atlanta Field Division and Vernon Keenan, Director of the Georgia Bureau of (GBI), announced today that on March 29, 2017, DEA Atlanta gleaned information about a load of Crystal Methamphetamine, also known as ICE, that was located in the Palmetto, Georgia area. Intelligence led agents and officers to target a suspect vehicle which was subsequently stopped by the Georgia State Patrol. The stop led to the seizure of approximately 130 pounds of Crystal Methamphetamine. Subsequently, Pedro Herrera-Garcia and Feiberta Aleman, both of Mexico, were arrested for the violation of the Georgia Controlled Substances (Trafficking in Methamphetamine). The immigration status of both defendants is being determined.
Agents then secured the stash house location identified as 8420 Atlanta Newnan Road, Palmetto, Georgia. Subsequently, the DEA Atlanta Field Division’s Clandestine Laboratory Enforcement (CLET) executed a search warrant and seized approximately 90 additional pounds of crystal methamphetamine and approximately 250 pounds of liquid methamphetamine in the basement area of the Atlanta Newnan Road address. CLET agents encountered an operational methamphetamine conversion lab, where liquid methamphetamine was being converted into crystal methamphetamine. Upon entry by CLET members, two defendants absconded and remain at large.
In addition, while inside the residence, agents encountered four children of elementary school age and one toddler, all of whom were released to the custody of the Department of Children and Youth Services.
DEA SAC Daniel R. Salter commented on the case, “These vile and volatile chemicals are venomous to the consumer and leave behind a trail of devastation and destruction. The successful results of this investigation should let criminals who flood the drug market with methamphetamine know that DEA and its multi-level law enforcement partners will disrupt, dismantle and ultimately destroy their drug distribution networks.”
GBI Director Vernon Keenan stated, “These arrests demonstrate the great work of law enforcement at all levels to investigate and prosecute the distribution and manufacture of methamphetamine affecting Georgia and our surrounding states. The GBI remains committed to working with our local and federal partners in drug enforcement to address these types of crimes.”
The case was investigated by members of the DEA Atlanta Strike Force Financial Investigations Team, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation and the Georgia State Patrol. Special assistance was provided by the DEA Atlanta Clandestine Laboratory Enforcement Team.
This investigation is being prosecuted by the Fulton County District Attorney’s Office.
The DEA encourages parents, along with their children, to educate themselves about the dangers of legal and illegal drugs by visiting DEA’s interactive websites at www.justhinktwice.com, www.GetSmartAboutDrugs.com and www.dea.gov.
Also follow DEA Atlanta via Twitter at @DEAATLANTADiv.
