A major drug trafficking bust has resulted in the arrest of Andres Jasso, Jr., 37, of Brookhaven, Georgia, and Rufino Pineda-Perez, 59, a previously deported Mexican national, after federal agents discovered more than 700 pounds of methamphetamine hidden in a load of cucumbers.
The DEA Atlanta Division, with support from state and federal agencies, seized the drugs from a tractor-trailer parked outside a Gainesville warehouse. Authorities say the meth was meticulously concealed in thousands of individually wrapped packages packed among 20 pallets of cucumber boxes.
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Jasso and Pineda-Perez were allegedly preparing to offload the shipment when agents moved in.
“A tremendous amount of meticulously concealed methamphetamine was located, seized, and will never hit the street,” said U.S. Attorney Theodore S. Hertzberg. “Our office will aggressively prosecute criminals who attempt to use North Georgia as a distribution hub.”
Pineda-Perez has a long history of drug offenses and deportations, including convictions for marijuana and cocaine trafficking. Despite being deported in 2001 and again in 2015, he illegally re-entered the U.S. and now faces additional charges for illegal reentry.
Both men have been charged with possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, and Pineda-Perez faces a separate charge of illegal reentry by a removed alien.
The case is being prosecuted as part of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) and Operation Take Back America, which targets major drug cartels and transnational criminal organizations.
“This case demonstrates our continued commitment to hold traffickers accountable and protect our communities,” said DEA Acting Special Agent in Charge Jae W. Chung.
The investigation was led by the DEA, with support from the Georgia State Patrol, Georgia Bureau of Investigation, and Department of Homeland Security – ICE. Prosecutor Assistant U.S. Attorney Johnny Baer is handling the case.
Federal officials remind the public that the charges are allegations, and both defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.
