Johns Creek Residents Indicted in Major Drug Bust

A large Mexican drug trafficking organization operating in metro Atlanta is dismantled after an indictment and a series of federal arrests. The indictment and arrests were the result of a three-year investigation, code-named “Operation G-60,” conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and coordinated through the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) program.

U.S. Attorney Sally Quillian Yates said: “Operation G-60 has dealt a severe blow to the Mexican drug cartels operating in the metro-Atlanta area. Earlier this morning, numerous alleged drug traffickers and money launderers were arrested in neighborhoods all across Atlanta.  As a result of the outstanding investigative efforts of the DEA and our state and local partners, over seven million dollars worth of cocaine and over a million dollars in dirty drug money have been taken off of the streets.” 

The investigation resulted in the seizure of 312 kilograms of cocaine (with an estimated wholesale street value of over $7 million), approximately 1,525 kilograms of marijuana and over $1.5 million in drug proceeds. 

In a criminal indictment handed down by a federal grand jury on May 11, 32 individuals have been charged for their participation in various criminal offenses, which include conspiring and possessing with intent to distribute at least five kilograms of cocaine and at least 1,000 kilograms of marijuana, as well as related money laundering charges.  

The Johns Creek defendants from the 16 arrested to date in connection with this investigation are David Sanchez, 31, Juan Castinanda, 25, and Rudy Valencia, 27.

The investigation revealed in part that Sanchez allegedly led a cell which distributed thousands of pounds of marijuana in the Atlanta area. He allegedly employed Tomar Shaw, Valencia and Castinanda for his drug trafficking activities.  After distributing the drugs in the Atlanta area, the organizational members allegedly sent the drug proceeds back to Mexico by using wire remitting companies, such as the now defunct “Latino Mix.” 

The charges carry a maximum sentence of life in prison and a fine of up to $4,000,000.