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DRUG BUST: $5M worth of drugs hidden in food boxes, cash sealed inside walls

GWINNETT COUNTY, Ga. — Investigators said they seized cocaine, methamphetamine, heroin and a large stash of cash in South Fulton and Gwinnett counties after receiving a tip about a local tire shop.

Drug Enforcement Administration agents said the bust is part of a joint investigation with the Gwinnett County District Attorney's Office that they've been working on since 2017.

"Another successful law enforcement success targeting the Mexican organizations targeting this poison in our community," DEA Atlanta Special Agent in Charge Robert J. Murphy said.

During a news conference Friday, the Atlanta Field Division of the DEA confirmed agents found a suitcase and money stashed inside a wall. A total of $850,000 was seized in cash.

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They said drugs worth an estimated $5 million were found in a U-Haul truck, hidden in Jarochas and Marianitas packaging.

Officials would not say which cartel they uncovered Thursday night but did say it's one of seven working Mexican cartels in metro Atlanta.

"The drugs came in and were off-loaded at a tire shop down in the South Fulton area and the stash house was up in north Gwinnett," Murphy said.

DEA agents arrested four people and said it's just the beginning of the cartel's takedown

"This is not the only seizure we've had against this organization, and they keep coming, but we have a solution for that in the very near future -- so you will see part two of this," Murphy said.

DEA officials said the money will go to the bank and the drugs will be sent to their labs for processing.