Alleged Cartel Members Arrested For Trafficking Drugs in Cobb County

Authorities detained alleged members of a Mexican drug cartel after finding $300,000 worth of drugs in their apartment in October in Cobb County. 

The United States Drug Enforcement Administration arrested three men in an apartment complex off of Atlanta Road. Apparently authorities were led there after tips given in a traffic stop in Gwinnett County earlier that same day.

According to reports, there were nine kilograms of cocaine and one kilogram of heroin seized in the apartment. 

Right now, the three men are in the Cobb County Jail without bond and have holds by the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

As a Georgia Criminal Defense Lawyer, I will outline the offense of trafficking cocaine in our state in today's post.

Trafficking Cocaine in Georgia

Trafficking Cocaine in Georgia is defined by the Georgia Code as:

When a person sells, manufactures, grows, delivers, or brings into this state, or who is in possession of 28 grams or more of cocaine or of any mixture with a purity of 10 percent or more of cocaine. O.C.G.A. § 16-13-31.

The difference between possession of cocaine in Georgia, possession of cocaine with intent to distribute in Georgia, and trafficking cocaine is simply the amount of cocaine. 28 grams of cocaine is the dividing line between just possession and trafficking.

The offense of trafficking cocaine is classified as a felony. However, the penalty is correlated with the amount of cocaine seized at the time of the charge. 

If there is 28 grams or more involved, but less than 200 grams, the penalty will be a mandatory prison term of at least ten years and a fine of $200,000.00. 

If there is between 200 grams and 400 grams  involved, the penalty will be a mandatory prison sentence of at least fifteen years and a fine of $350,000.00. 

If there is above 400 grams, the penalty is a mandatory prison term of at least twenty-five years with a fine of $1 million. 

Practice Notes

All Drug Offenses in Georgia are serious offenses and should be handled very seriously. If you or a loved one has been arrested for drugs - from possession to trafficking to even manufacturing, contact our offices today.

A Georgia Criminal Defense Attorney will investigate all the details of your case and determine which defenses may apply. Your defense starts with us.