Two Georgians Guilty in Athens Fentanyl, Meth Ring Linked to Cartel

A federal jury convicted two Georgia residents for their roles in an armed drug trafficking network linked to a cartel that distributed fentanyl, methamphetamine, and other controlled substances throughout the Athens community, with the Homeland Security Task Force investigation led by FBI resulting in the seizure of more than two dozen firearms.

Firearms seized from Serda’s home and photographs of pounds of methamphetamine stored in Serda’s home in Case 3:25-CR-00010 in U.S. v. Serda.

“This verdict holds these defendants fully accountable for their roles in a cartel-linked criminal organization that distributed fentanyl and other dangerous drugs in Athens and amassed dozens of firearms. Both men now face life in prison for their crimes,” said U.S. Attorney William R. “Will” Keyes. “Through close coordination with a dozen law enforcement agencies, the FBI led an investigation that successfully removed the deadliest drugs and firearms from criminal possession, making our neighborhoods safer for everyone.”

“These defendants built a drug trafficking operation that flooded the Athens area with fentanyl, methamphetamine, and other dangerous narcotics while stockpiling an alarming cache of firearms,” said Robert Gibbs, Supervisory Senior Resident Agent of FBI Atlanta’s Athens office. “The FBI and our partners will continue pursuing the organizations that profit from addiction and violence, and we will use every available investigative tool to remove these threats from our communities.”

Josue Serda, 26, of Jefferson, Georgia, was found guilty of one count of conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, four counts of distribution of fentanyl, one count of distribution of methamphetamine, one count of distribution of methamphetamine on premises where a person under 18 was present, and one count of possession of a firearm by an unlawful user of a controlled substance and faces a maximum of life in prison.

Gregory Robinson, 32, of Athens, was found guilty of one count of conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, one count of distribution of fentanyl, one count of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, one count of possession with intent to distribute oxycodone, and one count of maintaining drug involved premises and faces a maximum of life in prison.

A third defendant, Ariel Collins, 32, of Athens, was found not guilty of one count of maintaining a drug-involved premises.

The trial began on Monday, June 29, and concluded on Wednesday, July 8, before U.S. District Judge Tilman E. “Tripp” Self III in Athens. Sentencing dates will be determined by the Court. There is no parole in the federal system.

According to the filed indictment, court documents, and statements made in court, FBI led an investigation beginning in 2024 into Serda and Robinson’s criminal activities distributing fentanyl and methamphetamine from a Mexican cartel into the Athens community. For example, in September and October 2024, Serda was recorded distributing fentanyl at least four times.

Serda photographed holding a kilogram of fentanyl (left) and Robinson posing with drug proceeds in Case 3:25-CR-00010 in U.S. v. Serda.

Thirteen enforcement agencies executed search warrants in this case during the early morning hours of Aug. 26, 2025, including at Serda’s home in Jefferson, Georgia. Serda refused to exit the home. Serda is a convicted felon and has a history of threatening law enforcement officers. For instance, on Dec. 18, 2015, Serda was convicted in the Superior Court of Jackson County, Georgia, for terroristic threats. In that case, Serda threatened a police officer, stating he was going to contact “his cartel” to come to the officer’s house to “cut [his] family up.”

Serda with firearm over a sleeping infant in Case 3:25-CR-00010 in U.S. v Serda.

More recently, Serda was arrested on June 20, 2025, by the Oconee County Sheriff’s Office after he and his girlfriend were found passed out in his vehicle with narcotics paraphernalia in plain view and a Glock 9mm pistol in the glovebox. Serda’s comments to the deputy during that incident were captured on video: “You better look up my record bro, I beat police up bro. I been in prison…I ain’t scared of no police bro.”

During the attempt to arrest Serda on Aug. 26, 2025, his girlfriend told FBI SWAT that Serda was informing the cartel in Mexico that the FBI was at his residence. Serda made an outgoing WhatsApp call to his co-defendant and drug supplier in Mexico, Alicio Yanez-Pineda aka “Cochito,” at 6:06 a.m. on the morning of his arrest. Serda informed Yanez-Pineda that the FBI was at his home and that the truck scheduled to deliver narcotics to Serda’s home later in the day should “turn around.”