Cobb County

BUSTED! Packages labeled 'supplements' actually had 23K illegal pills

By Chris Jose, WSB-TV
By Chris Jose, WSB-TV

COBB COUNTY, Ga. — Agents seized more than 20,000 dangerous pills after they intercepted packages labeled “supplements” headed to Cobb County.

Marietta police gave Channel 2's Cobb County Bureau Chief Chris Jose photos of the synthetic opioids that were seized after investigators said Don Juan Johnson, 40, picked up the packages at a post office box in Marietta.

Investigators said the pills were shipped in 10 boxes.

Marietta police Officer Chuck McPhilamy said U.S. Customs agents discovered the packages in New York City on May 13.

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“We’re talking about an individual who was working as a middle man for someone in Germany that was taking these illegal pills and distributing them here,” McPhilamy said.

Customs then told police, Homeland Security and the postal inspector about the drugs, which arrived in Marietta on Friday.

After Johnson signed for the packages and and opened one of the boxes, officers swarmed him in the post office parking lot.

“The intention is they would continue to redistribute those, not even just here within our city but also shipping them to other locations in the United States,” McPhilamy said.

Jose showed pictures of the seized drugs to customers at the post office.

“It’s definitely something off a movie,” Tillie Mickens said. “Especially going through the post office -- now that’s the craziest part."

Jose stopped by Johnson’s home along Rockford Township Drive on Tuesday, but no one answered when he knocked on the front door.

Neighbors told Jose they saw officers search Johnson’s home.

"Drug dealers nowadays have gotten really bold to send this through the mail," one neighbor said.
Police say Johnson man flew under the radar and appeared to be living the American dream with family.

He remains in the Cobb County Jail with no bond.

Cox Media Group

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