A member of a Mexican drug cartel arrested in South Hall several years ago and four other members of the group have all now been sent to federal prison.
The U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Georgia, Will Keyes, says Juan Pablo Torres, 32, of Mexico, was sentenced to 48 months after pleading guilty to one count of use of a communication facility to facilitate possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine
Torres was taken into custody with a co-conspirator on Oct. 26, 2022, during the controlled purchase of more than four kilograms of methamphetamine at a gas station in Flowery Branch.
In all, four members of the cartel have now been giving sentences ranging from 48 months to 15 years.
The cartel, Keyes says, was involved in a major methamphetamine and cocaine distribution organization out of Monroe, Georgia.