Smugglers Sentenced for Transporting Liquid Meth from Mexico to Georgia

A federal prison sentenced three individuals for running a significant operation that converted and distributed methamphetamine using semi trucks.

Three individuals, who have been recognized as members of a drug trafficking organization (DTO), have recently been sentenced to federal prison.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia reported that all three individuals pleaded guilty to the charge of conspiring to distribute methamphetamine.

    • Rosa Rangel, 40, of Canon, Georgia, was sentenced to 15 years in prison followed by five years of supervised release.
    • Dustin Burgess, 36, of Ellijay, Georgia, was sentenced to 13 years in prison followed by five years of supervised release.
    • Berzain Leal Batrez, 44, of Chicago, Illinois, was sentenced to seven years, 11 months in prison followed by five years of supervised release.

From October 2021 to August 2022, it is reported that Rangel led a drug trafficking organization (DTO) involved in the production of methamphetamine in Georgia.

According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the members of the DTO were involved in transporting liquid methamphetamine from Mexico to the Northern District of Georgia. They cleverly concealed the drugs in the gas tanks of semi trucks.

Once the trucks arrived, the DTO members would extract the liquid methamphetamine and convert it into crystal methamphetamine. To carry out this process, they operated at least two secret laboratories. Their sophisticated operation allowed them to distribute the highly addictive drug throughout the region.

The DTO came under investigation by federal law enforcement agencies after a woman named Rangel was found purchasing significant quantities of acetone, a substance commonly used to transform liquid methamphetamine into crystal methamphetamine.

In August 2022, law enforcement officials discovered a drug conversion facility in Canon, Georgia. The investigators made this breakthrough after witnessing a semi truck transporting liquid methamphetamine to the premises.

Once a search warrant was obtained, the police took action and successfully confiscated more than 250 gallons of liquid methamphetamine, as well as close to 10 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine from the facility.

In November 2022, agents discovered a second methamphetamine conversion laboratory in Austell, Georgia. They made the discovery while observing the DTO delivering liquid methamphetamine to the laboratory. At the Austell location, law enforcement seized over 160 gallons of liquid methamphetamine and 75 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine.

“Methamphetamine production and distribution remains a significant menace to public safety, particularly when executed through the extensive and international operation employed by the defendants in this instance,” stated U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Buchanan.

“The diligent efforts and investigative work of our law enforcement partners have led to the dismantling of this operation and the successful prosecution of these drug traffickers for their illegal activities.”

“The DEA Atlanta Division’s Special Agent in Charge, Robert J. Murphy, emphasized the immense danger posed by these drug traffickers driven by greed.

Their activities not only threatened our communities but also put the lives of numerous children living near this highly volatile clandestine lab at risk.

The successful outcome of this investigation serves as a clear message that those responsible for destroying our communities with methamphetamine and other hazardous drugs will face the consequences.”

Martha Karina Rangel-Pantoja, a 42-year-old resident of Ellijay, Georgia, is set to be sentenced on January 13, 2025. Similarly, Uriel Plancarte Mendoza, a 31-year-old individual from Canon, Georgia, is scheduled for sentencing on March 21, 2025.

Several agencies are assisting with the investigation, including the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Homeland Security Investigations, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, the Georgia State Patrol, the Bartow County Sheriff’s Office, the Calhoun Police Department, the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office, the North Carolina Sheriff’s Office, the Pickens County Sheriff’s Office, the Gilmer County Sheriff’s Office, the Fannin County Sheriff’s Office, the Murray County Sheriff’s Office, the Dalton Police Department, the Chatsworth Police Department, the Gilmer County Homeland Security Agency, and the Tennessee 10th Judicial District Drug Task Force.

Three individuals have been sentenced to prison for their involvement in a case of smuggling liquid methamphetamine from Mexico to Georgia. The illegal operation took place using semi truck fuel tanks. This news was reported on CDLLife.

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