MACON, GA – Bertin Rivera, 43, of Lumber City, Georgia, is staring down a lengthy federal sentence after admitting today to orchestrating a massive cocaine shipment. Rivera pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court to conspiring to possess with the intent to distribute a staggering 382 kilograms of cocaine – a haul valued at an estimated $10 million.
The bust, a joint effort by the DEA, Department of Homeland Security, and the Lumber City Police Department, unfolded on September 12, 2012, when authorities raided Rivera’s residence. They discovered 191 kilograms of the drug cunningly concealed inside boxes of tomatoes delivered to his property. But the deception didn’t end there. Another 191 kilograms were unearthed buried in a plastic container on land adjacent to Rivera’s home, indicating a sophisticated attempt to establish a long-term distribution network.
U.S. Attorney Michael J. Moore for the Middle District of Georgia didn’t mince words. “Taking drugs off the street and putting drug dealers in jail remains a top priority for us. The people of Middle Georgia should feel good that the 191 kilograms of cocaine that were seized will never make it into the hands of our children,” Moore stated. This seizure, he confirmed, is the largest single cocaine bust in the district in the last 20 years.
Rivera’s scheme involved the direct shipment of the cocaine from an Atlanta warehouse. The meticulous planning, coupled with the sheer volume of the drugs, points to a large-scale operation with potential connections to major drug cartels. Assistant United States Attorney Charles L. Calhoun is prosecuting the case, leaving no stone unturned in building a comprehensive case against Rivera.
The guilty plea carries a hefty price. Rivera faces a mandatory minimum of ten years in federal prison, with the potential for a life sentence without parole. Sentencing is scheduled for September 17, 2013, before Judge C. Ashley Royal. Expect a harsh sentence; federal judges show little leniency when dealing with quantities of this magnitude.
This case serves as a stark reminder that even in rural communities, the tentacles of drug trafficking reach deep. The DEA and local law enforcement continue to work tirelessly to dismantle these criminal enterprises, but the fight is far from over. Anyone with information regarding drug activity is urged to contact their local authorities or the DEA. For media inquiries, contact Sue McKinney, Public Affairs Specialist, United States Attorney’s Office at (478) 621-2602.
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Key Facts
- State: Georgia
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Organized Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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