CHATHAM COUNTY, Ga. — Six people have been indicted in Chatham County following a multistate drug trafficking investigation that resulted in the seizure of 20 pounds of carfentanil, Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr announced Monday.
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Carfentanil is a synthetic opioid that is 10,000 times more potent than morphine and 100 times more potent than fentanyl, according to Carr’s office. It is so potent, multiple doses of Narcan may be needed to reverse its effects.
The investigation involved the Chatham-Savannah Counter Narcotics Team, the DEA’s Savannah District Office and its Phoenix Division Office, with assistance from the Attorney General’s Gang Prosecution Unit.
According to the indictment, five of the defendants allegedly formed a criminal enterprise that obtained carfentanil and other controlled substances for distribution in Chatham County, elsewhere in Georgia and Georgia prisons.
The indictment alleges the group obtained carfentanil from the Phoenix, Arizona, area and marijuana from California and elsewhere. It also alleges members used drug proceeds to support the Waters Ave Crew, a criminal street gang based in East Savannah with ties to the Piru Bloods.
The five defendants identified as part of the alleged enterprise are:
- Edkes Hakeem Mitchell, 34
- Rondell Javon Owens, 33
- Matthew Rigsby, 39
- Rahemm Jawaun Jenkins, 34
- Tashiylah Nikeairia Riley, 30
A sixth defendant, Devonta Rakeem Winn, 34, was also indicted and is facing charges related to his alleged association with the Waters Ave Crew.
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The Chatham County Grand Jury indicted all six defendants on Sept. 2.
Mitchell faces 3 RICO counts, 3 gang-related counts, 17 counts of conspiracy to violate the Controlled Substances Act, 2 attempted drug-law violations and 26 money laundering counts.
Owens faces 3 RICO counts, 3 gang-related counts, 6 drug conspiracy counts and 2 money laundering counts.
Rigsby faces 3 RICO counts, 17 drug conspiracy counts, 2 attempted drug-law violations and 18 money laundering counts.
Jenkins faces 3 RICO counts, 2 gang-related counts, 5 drug conspiracy counts and 2 money laundering counts.
Winn faces 2 gang-related counts and 1 money laundering count.
Riley faces 3 RICO counts, 5 drug conspiracy counts and 2 money laundering counts.
The Attorney General’s Office said no further information about the investigation or indictment can be released at this time.
Indictments contain allegations, and all defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
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