Photo from Meth-addiction.org
Gwinnett County is front and center for the drug trafficking trade in Metro Atlanta. The Mexican drug cartel operatives are using the largest Latino population in the State as cover for their operations. And Federal prosecutors say that Gwinnett County is the epicenter for the whole Southeast region.
Another plus for the drug trade in Gwinnett County, is the abundance of rental homes and homes standing empty because of foreclosure. Using residential property in established neighborhoods like Buckingham Place in Duluth, gives the drug operatives a safe haven from which they run their “businesses.” Some residents, like Jesus Hernandez, are hoping to move out of the infected neighborhood when the real estate market turns upward again. “You don’t know where or when you can find a drug dealer right here in this neighborhood,” he continued, “Right now, you can find a drug dealer right next to your house.” But others, like Connie Pruitt, are vowing to stay because, as she says, “I have lived here 15 years. It is an older, established neighborhood, and the school system is good. I’ve never felt threatened or afraid.”
The other reason business had been great in Gwinnett County for the drug traffickers, is the number of vacant strip malls they use to sell their product. Even the strip malls with one or two stores remaining open are seeing narcotic sales in the parking lot. The Ramirez family has been operating Tortacos Mexican restaurant on E. Crogan Street in Lawrenceville for eight years. They don’t serve liquor, and target families as patrons for their business. “We still see a lot of cars drive up to the store, get out and walk around. These are people that we know normally wouldn’t be there unless they were looking for drugs,” Ramirez said. Business has definitely fallen off, but the family is bound by a lease and can’t move to another location.
As stated in Andria Simmons’ article in the AJC; Gwinnett County has been designated as a high intensity drug trafficking area (HIDTA), by the Office of National Drug Control Policy, along with 19 other counties in metro Atlanta and central North Carolina. Jack Killorin, the director of the Atlanta HIDTA, says investigations into cartel activity typically have a tie in Gwinnett. Mr. Killorin even stated in a previous interview that, “If you were going to make the television show, ‘Miami Vice,’ today, it would appropriately be called ‘Metro Atlanta vice.’” Atlanta has overtaken Miami because the bulk of illegal drugs are no longer flown into Miami from Colombia. The Colombians now sell directly to Mexican cartels, who then move the drugs across the U.S./Mexican border.
Other counties that are a part of the Georgia HIDTA list are, Barrow, Bartow, Cherokee, Clayton, Douglas, Fayette and Forsyth.
Comments
Gwinnett Co is quickly becoming latino populated and a drug-haven.
We as georgians need to reclaim Georgia ---not just Gwinnett, but we need to take back all of Georgia....All illegals should be gone now!
How about controlling the inflow of illegal immigrants, by say, not giving them jobs. Maybe then there won't be as many "employees" for the cartels to pick from.
We shouldn't assume it is only illegal immigrants who are involved. We live in a mid-scale neighborhood - white - Georgian natives - there was a white couple running a coke lab out of their garage. Tubs full of cocaine. This is an economic situation, in my opinion. People need to make money to survive and its not the people you'd expect. You don't know your neighbors as well as you think you do.....
I agree! We need to take back Georgia. Drugs are quickly infesting our schools and neighborhoods in Northeast Ga. also.
Got something to say?
Examiner.com is looking for writers, photographers, and videographers to join the fastest growing group of local insiders. If you are interested in growing your online rep apply to be an Examiner today!