Cocaine smuggling and trafficking continues to be a big business in Georgia. According to the Atlanta Journal Constitution, four Texans are accused of smuggling a large amount of cocaine into the Peachtree City airport. Three men involved in the transport and one accomplice are facing serious drug charges for the incident.
On August 29th, Texan Donald Fontana, 68, Adrian Perez, 23, and Rene Perez, 31, flew into the Peachtree City airport. On a tip, officials were watching the men the whole time.
They allegedly saw the trio unload 6 bags from the plane and drive to a hotel where Fontana was dropped off. The Perez’s allegedly went to another hotel, with the 6 bags, and waited for 24 year old Jorge Olivo.
The bags were then loaded into Olivo’s vehicle. When police attempted to stop Olivo, he initially gave chase but was eventually caught. In his vehicle officers found 173 kilograms of cocaine.
All four men are facing felony charges of conspiracy to possess and sell cocaine. Olivo also faces charges of possession of a firearm by a felon in the commission of a felony. Officials are also trying to gain control of Fontana’s plane and the weapon seized.
Depending on how the court chooses to charge the men, they could be facing mandatory minimum sentences of 25 years. This means that 25 years would be the absolute minimum prison term they could be sentenced to. This minimum is applied when someone is charged with trafficking.
Trafficking can also carry exorbitant fines.
Even if the men weren’t charged with trafficking and instead faced distribution charges, they could be looking at up to 30 years for their first offense.
Drug charges are not something to take lightly in the state of Georgia. If you are facing anything as minor as possession or as major as trafficking, you need an experienced defense attorney willing to work tirelessly on your case.
Contact me today if you are facing criminal drug charges in Georgia. I would like to help you get the best possible results on your day in court.
Pilot, Don Fontana has been found not guilty in the Federal Courts. Why is he now having to be tried in Georgia courts? Does the Georgia court system not trust the Federal courts to do their job? What gives?