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Four charged with trafficking drugs in Barrow and Gwinnett Counties
from staff reports

ATLANTA - Four illegal aliens have been indicted on charges relating to a large scale methamphetamine and cocaine trafficking conspiracy in Barrow and Gwinnett Counties.

Arnulfo Nunez-Villanueva, 26, Miguel Angel Gonzalez, 20, Rafael Garcia-Nunez, 33, and Mauricio Medina-Mojica, 26, all undocumented aliens believed to be from Mexico, were indicted by a federal grand jury late Wednesday.

Search warrants yielded over 145 pounds of Ice, over 135 pounds Of Cocaine and a AR-15 Style Rifle.

“We are coming after those responsible for the scourge of methamphetamine and other dangerous drugs that undermine the well being of our community and our country,” said United States Attorney David E. Nahmias. “We will also seek additional charges and longer sentences for anyone possessing or using a firearm in conjunction with their drug trafficking activities.”

The indictment charges the defendants in relation to 5 separate search warrants that were executed in Gwinnett and Barrow Counties on November 21. A search of 4 residences in those counties yielded a total of 145 pounds of crystal methamphetamine (“ice”), 135 pounds of cocaine, and a .223 caliber AR-15 style rifle.

The indictment charges all four defendants with engaging in a conspiracy to distribute cocaine and methamphetamine. In addition, Miguel Angel Gonzalez is charged with the actual possession of cocaine and methamphetamine and the possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

DEA Atlanta Special Agent in Charge Sherri Strange noted the quantity of methamphetamine seized in this case constitutes the nation’s fifth largest methamphetamine seizure in 2006.

At an earlier news conference outlining details of the seizure, Ms. Strange said that DEA maintains a commitment to disrupt and dismantle the organizations that bring these drugs to Atlanta, commenting, “As members of these groups step up their operations, we are going to step up our operations.”

This case is being investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, with assistance from the Barrow County and Gwinnett County Police Departments.