Parcel Interdiction Operation Results in Multiple Seizures of Drugs and Guns

ATLANTA - The U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Georgia is pleased to announce the results of a coordinated multi-agency, two-week parcel interdiction operation that resulted in the seizure of illegal drugs and firearms being shipped through the district.

"We are relentless in our efforts to identify, disrupt, and prosecute those who use the U.S. Mail to traffic illegal drugs and firearms," said U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Buchanan. "Our continued collaboration with federal, state, and local law enforcement partners is a priority crucial to curtailing the illegal flow of drugs and weapons into our communities. Those contemplating illegal shipments of such contraband should be aware of the serious consequences of committing this crime."

"The U.S. Postal Inspection Service seeks to identify, disrupt, and dismantle drug trafficking organizations that attempt to illegally utilize the mail system," said Tommy D. Coke, Inspector in Charge of the Atlanta Division. "I commend the hard work and countless hours put forth by all of our law enforcement partners to coordinate resources to combat illicit drug activity."

During a two-week period in March 2024, a team of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies conducted an operation targeting suspicious parcels in the mail stream. This coordinated effort, by the U.S. Attorney's Office and multiple District Attorneys' Offices, federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, resulted in the seizures of fentanyl, methamphetamine, cocaine, psilocybin (mushrooms), oxycodone, Xanax, steroids, marijuana, numerous firearms, and large amounts of currency suspected of being related to narcotics trafficking. To date, the operation has resulted in the arrests of four individuals for drug trafficking offenses.

The parcel interdiction team included the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Customs and Border Protection, Homeland Security Investigations, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, West Metro Regional Drug Enforcement Office, Bartow-Cartersville Drug Task Force, Bartow County Sheriff's Office, Calhoun Police Department, Carroll County Sheriff's Office, Haralson County Sheriff's Office, Polk County Sheriff's Office, Rome/Floyd Metro Drug Task Force, Sandy Springs Police Department, and the Atlanta-Carolinas HIDTA. The Cherokee Judicial Circuit District Attorney's Office, the Tallapoosa Judicial Circuit District Attorney's Office, and the Coweta Judicial Circuit District Attorney's Office also provided invaluable support to the operation and subsequent investigations.

The Office of the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Georgia recommends that parents and children learn about the dangers of drugs at the following websites: www.justthinktwice.gov; www.operationprevention.com/; and www.dea.gov/onepill.

For further information please contact the U.S. Attorney's Public Affairs Office at [email protected] or (404) 581-6016. The Internet address for the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Georgia is http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga.