Berzain Leal Batrez, 44, of Chicago, Illinois, was sentenced to seven years, 11 months in prison followed by five years of supervised release.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\nOfficials say that from at least October 2021 until August 2022, Rangel headed a DTO manufacturing methamphetamine in Georgia.<\/p>\n
\u201cMembers of the DTO transported liquid methamphetamine from Mexico to the Northern District of Georgia in the gas tanks of semi trucks. The DTO members then pumped the liquid methamphetamine out of the semi trucks and cooked it into crystal methamphetamine, using at least two clandestine laboratories to convert the methamphetamine,\u201d the U.S. Attorney\u2019s Office said.<\/p>\n
Federal law enforcement agencies began investigating the DTO when a female later identified as Rangel purchased large amounts of acetone, a substance used to convert liquid methamphetamine into crystal methamphetamine.<\/p>\n
Investigators located a DTO drug conversion facility in Canon, Georgia, in August 2022 after observing a semi truck delivering liquid methamphetamine to the location. After a search warrant was executed, police seized over 250 gallons of liquid methamphetamine and nearly 10 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine in the facility.<\/p>\n
In November 2022, a a second methamphetamine conversion laboratory was discovered in Austell, Georgia, after agents observed the DTO delivering liquid methamphetamine to the laboratory. Over 160 gallons of liquid methamphetamine and 75 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine was seized at the Austell location.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u201cMethamphetamine production and distribution continues to pose a grave threat to public safety, especially when trafficked using the large-scale and international operation utilized by the defendants in this case,\u201d said U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Buchanan. \u201cThanks to the vigilance and investigative work of our law enforcement partners, this operation has been dismantled and these drug traffickers have been prosecuted for their crimes.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cDriven by greed, these drug traffickers\u2019 activities posed a significant threat to our communities, and to the lives of several children who lived in close proximity to this highly volatile clandestine lab,\u201d said Robert J. Murphy, Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Atlanta Division. \u201cThe success of this investigation is proof that those destroying our communities with methamphetamine and other dangerous drugs will be held accountable.\u201d<\/p>\n
Two other defendants are scheduled for sentencing in this case. Martha Karina Rangel-Pantoja, 42, of Ellijay, Georgia is to be sentenced on January 13, 2025, and Uriel Plancarte Mendoza, 31 of Canon, Georgia is scheduled for sentencing on March 21, 2025.<\/p>\n
Agencies assisting the investigation include the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Homeland Security Investigations, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, the Georgia State Patrol, the Bartow County Sherriff\u2019s Office, the Calhoun Police Department, the Cherokee County, the North Carolina Sheriff\u2019s Office, the Pickens County Sheriff\u2019s Office, the Gilmer County Sheriff\u2019s Office, the Fannin County Sheriff\u2019s Office, the Murray County Sheriff\u2019s Office, the Dalton Police Department, the Chatsworth Police Department, the Gilmer County Homeland Security Agency, and the Tennessee 10th Judicial District Drug Task Force.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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