Atlanta officials seize 575 pounds of meth, cocaine from Mexican drug ring

Gwinnett County law enforcement arrested 10 people and seized more than 500 pounds of drugs that were part of a Mexico-based drug ring, Atlanta media reports.

Law enforcement seized 400 pounds of meth, 175 pounds of cocaine, $2 million in cash and 10 firearms in the bust.

Fox 5 Atlanta reported the bust was the result of an investigation into a Mexican drug trafficking and money laundering organization. The investigation began in February and led law enforcement to Gwinnett County. They were able to execute several search warrants and a traffic stop after extensive surveillance.

10 Gwinnett County residents were arrested and charged as part of the busts. The Atlanta Journal Constitution reported their names and charges:

• Angel Santiago, indicted on one count of conspiracy to commit a crime and one count of trafficking in methamphetamine
• Carlos Wilson Paz, indicted on one count of conspiracy to commit a crime and one count of trafficking in cocaine
• Carmelo Reyes-Lozano, indicted on one count of conspiracy to commit a crime
• Cesar Leonel Perez-Flores, indicted on one count of conspiracy to commit a crime and one count of trafficking in methamphetamine.
• Raul Solorio-Campos, indicted on two counts of conspiracy to commit a crime
• Rony Omar Martinez-Colon, indicted on one count of trafficking in cocaine and one count of conspiracy to commit a crime
• Tracy Price, indicted on two counts of trafficking in cocaine and one count of conspiracy to commit a crime
• Nicolas Fernandez-Lopez, indicted on one count of trafficking in methamphetamine, two counts of trafficking in cocaine and two counts of conspiracy to commit a crime
• Jose Heredia Gonzalez, indicted on one count of trafficking in methamphetamine
• Kevin Ernest Contreras, indicted on one count of trafficking in methamphetamine

Twenty-five others were also arrested in Coweta, Clayton, Barrow, Henry and Fulton counties as well as North Carolina, the AJC said.

During the search of a residence, officials said they found liquid meth hidden in a gas tank and a shrine for La Santa Muerta, known as the “Patron Saint of Narcos,” Fox 5 said.

The Drug Enforcement Administration, Gwinnett County Sheriff’s Office, Gwinnett Metro Task Force and the Lawrenceville Police Department assisted the Gwinnett County District Attorney’s Office with the operation, Fox 5 reported.

This story was originally published October 12, 2017 at 7:47 AM with the headline "Atlanta officials seize 575 pounds of meth, cocaine from Mexican drug ring."