Daniel Roger Alo Pleads Guilty to Running Drug Ring from Prison

Daniel Roger Alo, 46, of Brunswick, GA, pleaded guilty today in federal court to orchestrating a sprawling drug trafficking ring from behind bars at Calhoun State Prison in Morgan, Georgia. Facing Chief U.S. District Court Judge Lisa Godbey Wood, Alo admitted to masterminding a criminal network that spanned multiple states and involved gang members, cartel associates, and high-dollar drug deals—while serving time for kidnapping.

The indictment, returned by a federal grand jury in Savannah last September, charged Alo and 15 others with operating a drug trafficking organization across Georgia, Tennessee, Virginia, and beyond. Evidence presented at his guilty plea revealed that Alo used drones to smuggle cellphones and other contraband into the prison, then leveraged those devices to direct methamphetamine distribution on the outside. The operation funneled pounds of crystal meth through the Southeast, with dealers moving product on his orders.

Law enforcement seized 10.9 pounds of meth, over 10 firearms, and more than $600,000 in a 2015 sting in Brunswick—targeting five of Alo’s coconspirators. Among them was Ronnie Music, a former Georgia Lottery winner who used a portion of his $3 million winnings to buy meth. Music, like Alo, awaits sentencing. Agents ultimately recovered over 15 firearms—many stolen or stripped of serial numbers—thousands of rounds of ammunition, more than 15 pounds of crystal meth, multiple vehicles, $600,000 in cash, and two drones used in the smuggling operation.

The conspiracy tied together members of the Ghost Face Gangsters, the Bloods, the Gangster Disciples, and associates with links to Mexican Cartels. From his prison cell, Alo maintained control over distribution networks, coordinating large-scale drug transactions that saturated communities with highly addictive substances. His use of readily available technology—drones and cellphones—highlighted a growing challenge for correctional security and law enforcement.

“This defendant is an example of the enormous challenges that our law enforcement partners face in their fight against illegal drugs in our communities,” said U.S. Attorney Edward Tarver. “Alo used readily available technology (drones and cell phones) to continue his substantial criminal behavior even while confined in a secure State prison. It is necessary and appropriate that his next stop be a federal prison.”

Alo now faces 5 to 40 years in federal prison. Sentencing will occur after the U.S. Probation Office completes a presentence investigation. The case was jointly investigated by the ATF, DEA, FBI, U.S. Marshal Service, GBI, Glynn-Brunswick Narcotics Enforcement Team, Wayne County Sheriff’s Office, Ware County Sheriff’s Office, Glynn County Police Department, Glynn County Sheriff’s Office, Haralson-Paulding Drug Task Force, and Virginia State Police. Assistant U.S. Attorneys E. Greg Gilluly, Jr. and Tania D. Groover prosecuted the case. For inquiries, contact First Assistant U.S. Attorney James D. Durham at (912) 201-2547.