Gwinnett County Sheriff’s Office arrests 47 people…

The Gwinnett County Sheriff’s Office has arrested 47 people suspected of being involved in the activities of the Surenos gang after a nine-month, multi-agency investigation.

In August 2023, the GCSO Special Investigations Section reportedly discovered that an element of the large Georgia gang was allegedly smuggling firearms and narcotics through the state. The agency was able to determine that the group had ties to the Mexican drug cartels through surveillance and other undercover operations, according to a GCSO press release.

During the investigation into the case, the department seized $311,873.00 in U.S. dollars, 14 firearms, 194.12 kilograms of methamphetamine, 36.8 kilograms of cocaine, 6.79 kilograms of marijuana, more than 300 fentanyl pills, and several vehicles used in the commission of the crimes.

The individuals arrested in this case are charged with drug trafficking, use of telecommunications equipment in connection with the distribution of drugs, illegal possession of weapons, criminal street gang activity, and extortion.

“This case is exemplary of the significant danger that criminal street gangs pose to our communities,” John Melvin, chief assistant district attorney for Gwinnett County, said, “Today, we are safer thanks to the excellent work of the GCSO and our partner agencies. Now, this office will take on the difficult task of ensuring these suspects remain off the streets and are held accountable for their actions.”

GCSO worked with several agencies during the investigation: the DEA, the Riverdale Police Department, the Heard County Sheriff’s Office, the Georgia Department of Corrections, the Spalding County Sheriff’s Office, the Cobb County Sheriff’s Office, the Marietta/Cobb/Smyrna Organized Crime Unit, the Georgia State Patrol, the Department of Community Supervision, the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, the Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office, the Lamar County Sheriff’s Office, the Barrow County Sheriff’s Office, the Dekalb County Police Department, the City of Newnan Police Department, and the Bartow County Sheriff’s Office.

“The GCSO recognizes the right of every individual to be safe and protected from fear, intimidation and physical harm,”Cleophas Atwater, Chief of the Gwinnett County Sheriff’s Office, said, “Our dedicated Special Investigations Section, which includes the Gang Unit, has shown exceptional dedication and expertise in addressing these challenges, and we commend their outstanding efforts.”