3 Arrested In Cartel Drug Bust In GA

WOODSTOCK, GA — Two Mexican nationals and a Sandy Springs man are facing multiple charges in connection with a multi-agency drug bust that led to the seizure of at least 500 pounds of marijuana, state authorities say.

Law enforcement spent Wednesday and Thursday executing five search warrants in Woodstock, Sandy Springs and Atlanta, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation said Friday.

Authorities said the investigation of associates with Cartel Jalisco New Generation, a suspected drug trafficking organization, was lengthy. The group was accused of working with people in metro Atlanta to traffic guns, marijuana, cocaine and methamphetamine, authorities said.

The more than 500 pounds of seized marijuana was packaged for distribution, authorities said, adding nine guns were also seized.

Ultimately, authorities said they arrested Jubenal Farfan Arellano, 52, of Mexico; Omar Flores Mena, 33, of Mexico; and Jose Radilla Maldonado, 29, of Sandy Springs.

The trio faced charges of racketeering and attempt or conspiracy to violate the Georgia Controlled Substances Act, authorities said. They added Flores additionally faced charges of possession of cocaine and methamphetamine.

They were booked into the Cherokee County Jail, authorities said.