Rodrigo Morales-Figueroa, a 29-year-old resident of Marietta, Georgia, appeared in federal court on June 23, 2025. He faces federal charges for possession with intent to distribute fentanyl.
"Foreign cartels profit from the addiction and deaths of Americans, pushing fentanyl and other dangerous drugs in our community," stated U.S. Attorney Theodore S. Hertzberg. He emphasized the role of federal law enforcement in disrupting a major drug trafficking operation originating from Mexico.
Jae W. Chung, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Atlanta Division, affirmed the agency's commitment to combatting drug distribution: "Keeping our communities safe is our highest priority."
Steven N. Schrank, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Georgia and Alabama, highlighted the significance of the arrest: "The dangers of fentanyl cannot be overstated... Thanks to the diligent work of HSI and our law enforcement partners, we successfully intercepted ten kilograms of fentanyl."
According to U.S. Attorney Hertzberg and information presented in court, law enforcement seized ten kilograms of fentanyl concealed within car batteries by a Mexico-based drug trafficking organization (DTO) earlier this month. On June 17, authorities learned that a courier was scheduled to collect the drugs. The next day saw DEA and Homeland Security agents conduct a controlled delivery using fake fentanyl at an agreed location in Gainesville, Georgia.
Morales-Figueroa allegedly arrived at this location to inspect and load the packages into his vehicle before being arrested by Hall County Sheriff's Office deputies.
The public is reminded that Morales-Figueroa has not been indicted by a grand jury and remains presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt at trial.
The investigation involves multiple agencies including the Drug Enforcement Administration and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations with support from Hall County Sheriff’s Office.
This case falls under Operation Take Back America—a nationwide initiative led by the Department of Justice targeting illegal immigration and transnational criminal organizations.
Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer Keen is prosecuting this case.
For more information contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office at USAGAN.PressEmails@usdoj.gov or (404) 581-6185. More details are available on their website: http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga.