Long Term Narcotics Investigation by FBI and GBI Leads to Methamphetamine Trafficking Arrests

A task force made up of the following agencies is responsible for the arrests of at least six people for trafficking methamphetamine across the South East.

• Federal Bureau of Investigation
• U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Georgia
• Georgia Bureau of Investigation
• GBI's Appalachian Regional Drug Enforcement Office
• Georgia State Patrol
• Georgia Department of Corrections
• Gainesville Police Department
• Lumpkin County Sheriff's Office
• Zell Miller Mountain Parkway Drug Task Force

All of these agencies participated in a 16 month long investigation tracking trafficking activity across six different counties.

As a Georgia Criminal Defense Lawyer, I will outline the law behind the serious criminal offense of trafficking methamphetamine in the state of Georgia.

Trafficking Methamphetamine in Georgia

Trafficking methamphetamine in Georgia is defined by the Georgia Code in O.C.G.A. §16-13-31 as:

When a person sells, delivers, or brings into this state, or who is in possession of 28 grams or more of methamphetamine or amphetamine.

Methamphetamine is part of the Schedule II drug/controlled substances in Georgia, which also include cocaine, morphine, opium, and methadone. 

Trafficking methamphetamine is classified as a felony in the state of Georgia. The penalty for trafficking methamphetamine in Georgia coincides with the amount of methamphetamine 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. An amount of methamphetamine between 200 grams and 400 grams will receive the consequence of a mandatory prison sentence of at least fifteen years and a fine of $350,000.00. For any amount of methamphetamine above 400 grams, the penalty is a mandatory prison term of at least twenty-five years with a fine of $1 million.

Practice Note

According to reports, two suspects are still being sought after by the FBI. However, just because people are arrested as a result of an investigation does not mean that they are guilty of committing the accused offense.

If you or a loved one has been arrested, contact a Georgia Criminal Defense Attorney today.