4,120 Pounds Of Pot, $2.3 Million In Cash Seized

CLAYTON COUNTY, Ga. -- Federal and local authorities said they have arrested 45 people and seized drugs, cash and guns as part of an investigation into a major Mexican drug cartel operating in metro Atlanta.

Channel 2 Action News reporter Kerry Kavanaugh was there when officials explained the crackdown and displayed the seized marijuana.

At a news conference Thursday, federal and local authorities said Operation Choke Hold targeted the distribution network of La Familia Michoacana, known as La Familia.
Authorities say they seized 46 pounds of methamphetamine, 43 kilograms of cocaine, 4,120 pounds of marijuana, 20 guns and about $2.3 million in cash during the investigation.

"I have never in my career been involved in the take down of an entire drug trafficking organization," said Clayton County district attorney Tracy Graham Lawson.

The La Familia cell based in Atlanta imports cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine and marijuana. The network distributes significant amounts of the drugs to Florida, Alabama, Indiana, Illinois and North Carolina.

All 45 suspects are due in court for their first court appearance on Monday.

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