Meth Trafficker Who Was Deported Four Times Sentenced To Prison

LAWRENCEVILLE, GA -- A Gwinnett County meth trafficker who admits to having been deported from the United States four times has been sentenced to 30 years in prison and a $1 million fine.

Marcos Benitez Camacho was stopped on Interstate 85 at Pleasant HIll Road in Duluth on April 17, 2015.

During a search of his Ford Fusion, police found a hidden compartment that contained more than 96 pounds of methamphetamine, which had a street value of more than $1.5 million.

At trial, Camacho maintained that he had no idea the meth was there.

"At one point in his testimony, the Defendant folded his hands as if he was praying and swore on his mother’s grave that he did not know about the drugs contained in the vehicle," Gwinnett County prosecutors said in a news release.

Camacho was stopped at the request of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

Assistant district attorney Mike Morrison countered that Camacho, who freely admitted to being deported four times and using fake names to return to the United States, could not be trusted.

He argued that Camacho was part of a drug-trafficking operation and was being paid to transport the meth to an unknown location in Gwinnett County.

Superior Court Judge George Hutchinson sentenced Camacho Friday to 30 years in prison, with 27 to serve, and a $1 million fine.

(Photo courtesy Gwinnett County District Attorney's office)