Crime & Safety

$3.2M In Crystal Meth Found In Celery At GA Farmers Market

At least 1,000 kilograms of crystal meth were stored among celery boxes in a truck's cargo area at a Georgia farmers market, the DEA said.

About $3.2 million worth of crystal methamphetamine stored in boxes of celery is recently seized at a Forest Park farmers market.
About $3.2 million worth of crystal methamphetamine stored in boxes of celery is recently seized at a Forest Park farmers market. (U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration)

FOREST PARK, GA — About $3.2 million worth of crystal methamphetamine stored in boxes of celery was recently seized at a Forest Park farmers market, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration said.

The DEA said Tuesday the "record-breaking seizure" occurred on Aug. 8. At least 1,000 kilograms of methamphetamine were stored among celery boxes in a truck's cargo area, the DEA said.

In total, the methamphetamine weighed 2,585 pounds, the DEA said. Jesus Martinez, who the DEA identified as the driver of the truck, was arrested, authorities said.

Find out what's happening in Atlantawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration seizes about $3.2 million worth of crystal methamphetamine Tuesday at a Forest Park farmers market. (Photo by U.S. DEA)

“This is a significant and unbelievable amount of drugs to be shipped at one time and to a destination this far from the border,” said Robert J. Murphy, special agent in charge of the DEA Atlanta Division, in a news release. “It also shows the confidence of the cartel behind this.”

The DEA said it is seeking to "defeat the Sinaloa and Jalisco (drug) cartels," but did not directly link the suspected cartels to the Forest Park drug seizure.

Find out what's happening in Atlantawith free, real-time updates from Patch.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

To request removal of your name from an arrest report, submit these required items to [email protected].