A Newnan man was convicted Tuesday of trafficking methamphetamine stemming from an undercover drug bust in Tyrone last December.

Jorge Antonio Landeras-Ruiz, 57 Greenville St., was sentenced by Fayette Superior Court Judge Johnny Caldwell to a prison term of 30 years and a fine of $1 million.

Landeras-Ruiz participated in a deal to sell approximately two pounds of crystal methamphetamine to an undercover agent of the Fayette County Drug Task Force. The purchase price was set as $12,500 per pound, according to the undercover agent who participated in the deal.

The total amount of methamphetamine collected in the bust was greater than 887 grams, and each gram is equivalent to the amount of powder in a Sweet-n-Low packet, according to the forensic chemist who tested the drug and confirmed the sample was methamphetamine.

Landeras-Ruiz’s attorney argued that he was not involved in the transaction at all, rather it was set up by another person referred to as “Angel.”

But the undercover agent testified that Landeras-Ruiz met with him at the meeting place in the parking lot of the Publix shopping center. The agent also testified that Landeras-Ruiz was inside the vehicle when the agent discussed particulars of the deal with another person.

The agent said that the methamphetamine was kept hidden in a secret compartment located behind the armrest of the rear seat of the Mercedes, and it was opened via an electrical connection operated by the driver of the vehicle.

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