Fayette DTF helps score millions in drugs, cash

Fri, 12/07/2007 - 8:18pm
By: Ben Nelms

It was a swirl of activity at the Richard Russell Federal Building in Atlanta late Friday afternoon, as a large group of local, state and federal law enforcement agencies announced the results of two coordinated multi-million dollar drug seizures made in the metro area during the last week.

U.S. Attorney David Nahmias announced the results of the effort, reporting the seizure of $8-10 million in cash, 111 kilograms of cocaine, 17 pounds of methamphetamine and 32 firearms, including handguns and assault rifles. In addition, 42 defendants were indicted by a federal grand jury Dec. 4 and another 25 were charged by criminal complaints on Dec. 6 and 7, according to Nahmias.

With metro Atlanta long recognized as the major hub for drugs in the eastern U.S., those drugs would have been sold across the metro area and throughout the eastern United States.

Nearly three-dozen strong, representatives of the many federal, state and local law enforcement agencies were in attendance.

One of those near the podium was Fayette County Sheriff’s Drug Task Force (DTF) Capt. Mike Pruitt.

For Pruitt, the occasion was another reminder of the reality that drugs originating in Mexico more than 2,000 miles away have a direct connection to the smaller communities, like Fayette County, that lie beyond the shadow of the Gold Dome.

“This is what we’ve been talking about. You can’t fight the drug problem in this country by sitting back and chasing street dealers on every corner selling street dope. There’s a supply and demand that is coming in from outside the country, coming in here,” Pruitt said.

“If you don’t cut the head off the snake, you’re not going to stop the flow. So that’s the whole purpose for being involved in the strike force that the sheriff got us involved with, because the strike force targets the Mexican cartels that are setting up cells in the metro Atlanta area and distributing their drugs here. And Fayette County is a part of the metro Atlanta area. So if you think the drugs that are coming in here aren’t coming to places like Fayette and Coweta and Clayton, then you’re living with your head in the sand.”

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Submitted by RuKiddin on Mon, 12/10/2007 - 3:51pm.

Looks like another joker that has absolutely NO idea what they are talking about because they have never been there or even tried it. Just for FYI, the FEDS don't have enough manpower to handle all these situations. So, they call in the locals to help with the little things. You know, like twelve to fourteen months of wiretaps, surveillance, and use of the local SWAT Teams to actually DO the hits and stuff like that.

That whole Mutual Aid thing is crazy, isn't it. It must be nice to speak from ignorance and just assume that every cop is corrupt because you have been arrested and convicted of something in the past. Whatever happened to you must have been sad. Probably somebody else's fault too, hun? Free speech is great, just try and be informed when you do it.

You probably assume that all the drug trafficing that is going on outside of our great county doesn't affect us in any way, don't you. Guess what, drive thru the Fayetteville Pavilion sometime and take a look at all the out of county tags you see. Now compare crime stats from before the Pavilion was built with now. It doesn't take a brain to figure that one out.

Just remember Bonkers, just because you aren't brave enough to breach a front door with heavily armed Mexican Mafia on the otherside, doesn't mean you have to dog them out for protecting your fourth point of contact. Oh yeah, I AM speaking from experience.

TomDoniphon's picture
Submitted by TomDoniphon on Tue, 12/11/2007 - 1:01am.

Well AIRBORNE! Sounds like Bonkers wears his fourth point of contact on his shoulders.


Submitted by Bonkers on Mon, 12/10/2007 - 7:14pm.

I suppose the wiretaps had warrants to do them? Or did the FBI authorize them with their kangaroo court?
All cops are not corrupt. Some love what they do and don't want to lose their job.
The Clayton, etc., cars at the pavilion are mostly Clayton County workers at the pavilion, it is estimated. There are some west Clayton resident who shop there, also.
If they are all crooks, just arrest them!
I have never fought the Mexican Mafia, but it has nothing to do with my courage. How long were you in the military?
I also have not heard of any Mexican mafia shooting at the police in a raid. Usually stashes are about all they get---no Mexican mafia.

Submitted by skyspy on Mon, 12/10/2007 - 7:23pm.

How about they use you as a decoy, when they have the next sting set up??? Oh come on it will be fun, after all you said the mexican mafia isn't real right?? What could go wrong??

Submitted by Davids mom on Sat, 12/08/2007 - 3:46pm.

. .for being involved with the strike force that is helping to keep drugs out of Fayette County!!

Submitted by Bonkers on Sat, 12/08/2007 - 4:46pm.

This has been explained before. The feds set these traps and then call in all the cops from various locals to come in and claim their share.
What isn't stolen by crooked cops ends up in places like the Fayette County police commands as a percentage of the total according to various factors.
Sometimes they are allowed to be represented in the actual bust, also.

We get such things as helicopters, Mustangs, illegal buildings, odd equipment, stuff we never use or train in, etc.

It can not be used for additional police persons since they would have to be paid forever or fired when the dope money ran out!

I don't know what they do with all of the packages of dope.

Submitted by tonto707 on Mon, 12/10/2007 - 4:23pm.

a complete and ignorant idiot would post what you have above.

hutch866's picture
Submitted by hutch866 on Mon, 12/10/2007 - 4:27pm.

You have won the "describe that fool in five words or less" game. Johnny, tell him what he's won.

I yam what I yam....Popeye


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