Gregory Smiley, Cocaine Trafficking, Georgia 2023

SAVANNAH, GA – In a major blow to the city’s drug underworld, 15 individuals have been indicted for their roles in a large-scale cocaine trafficking operation. The indictment, known as “Operation Be Real Every Second,” alleges that the defendants conspired to distribute significant amounts of cocaine, crack cocaine, fentanyl, methamphetamine, and marijuana in Chatham County from January 2017 to March 2023.

According to Jill E. Steinberg, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia, the indictment sends a clear message that the U.S. Attorney’s Office will hold accountable those who profit from distributing deadly and addictive drugs in the Southern District.

The indictment charges all 15 defendants with a drug trafficking conspiracy that carries a statutory maximum penalty of life in prison. The defendants include:

• Gregory Smiley, 45, of Savannah
• Lena Smiley, 42, of Savannah, Gregory Smiley’s wife
• James Burton, a/k/a “Muffin,” 48, of Savannah
• Jason Burton, a/k/a “JB,” 45, of Savannah
• Charles Tolbert, a/k/a “Charlie Boy,” 42, of Savannah
• Wilbert Gordon, a/k/a “Slap,” 47, of Savannah
• Anthony Williams, 49, of Savannah
• Ebony Coleman, 44, of Savannah
• Richard Wood, 38, of Savannah
• Armond Smith, 42, of Savannah
• Robert Jones, 36, of Savannah
• Leon Brown, 57, of Savannah
• Shadar Wright, 40, of Garden City, Ga.
• Tywanna Lewis, 46, of Savannah

Thirteen of the defendants are currently in custody and are scheduled for initial appearance hearings. Armond Smith and Shadar Wright are being sought.

In addition to the conspiracy charge, Gregory Smiley, along with co-defendants Lena Smiley and Tywanna Lewis, is accused of using gambling casinos in Nevada and Maryland to launder and conceal profits derived from the conspiracy.

The indictment also seeks the forfeiture of nearly $200,000 in cash seized during the investigation, as well as three bank accounts registered to Gregory Smiley, four Savannah residences, and high-end jewelry valued at over $138,000, including a Rolex watch.

Criminal indictments contain only charges; defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

The case was investigated under the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) and is being prosecuted by Southern District of Georgia Assistant U.S. Attorneys Darron J. Hubbard and OCDETF Coordinator Marcela C. Mateo.

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