ATHENS, Ga. — A 28-year-old man identified by federal authorities as the kingpin of a massive Georgia drug distribution ring has been sentenced to life in prison without parole.
A judge in Macon sentenced Josue Serda of Jefferson, Ga., following a year-long investigation that resulted in the seizure of more than 200 kilograms of methamphetamine, fentanyl and cocaine.
Authorities said Serda operated as an Athens-area supplier of fentanyl and methamphetamine for the Jalisco New Generation Mexican drug cartel. The multi-agency operation uncovered a large-scale drug distribution network that moved illicit substances into Georgia communities.
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At a news conference in Macon, Will Keyes, U.S. attorney for the Middle District of Georgia, described how Serda conducted high-volume drug transactions. Keyes highlighted Serda’s willingness to conduct business in the presence of young family members.
“This is was moving these kilos of fentanyl at time moving the kilos with his toddler in the room while he did the deal,” Keyes said.
Keyes also revealed text messages introduced as evidence during court proceedings that demonstrated Serda’s indifference to the deadly consequences of the drugs he sold.
“This is a man who sends a message, and in that message, this was actually used in court, the message he acknowledged is the fentanyl he was selling kills people, but said the money was just too good,” Keyes said.
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As part of the year-long operation, federal agents raided an Athens home last month, resulting in the arrest of accused drug trafficker Raul Perez-Mondragon.
Inside Perez-Mondragon’s house and truck, law enforcement officers seized 220 pounds of methamphetamine along with multiple firearms. Authorities said many of the kilograms were hidden inside shipments of cabbage when smuggled into the country from Mexico.
Perez-Mondragon made his initial court appearance in connection with the charges.
In addition to Serda’s life sentence, another convicted drug distributor involved in the distribution ring received a 30-year prison sentence.
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