$3 million worth of meth discovered at Atlanta farmers market, hidden in celery

Over 2,000 pounds of methamphetamine was seized by investigators in Atlanta after it was smuggled into a farmers market, hidden underneath a truckload of celery.

Authorities said it was the largest-ever seizure of meth by the DEA in Atlanta, and the third-largest nationwide this year. They believe it was smuggled into Georgia by a Mexican drug cartel. The huge volume of drugs was hidden in a truck, under a load of celery, DEA Atlanta Special Agent Robert Murphy explained.

"DEA developed information which led us to the state farmers market in Clayton County,” he said. “This was contained within a cover load of celery. That was what was hiding it. Obviously, we threw away the celery. So there's no concerns of buying celery at the grocery store. That stuff didn't make it to the store."

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The agency will test the 2,585 pounds of crystal meth to see if it has been laced with fentanyl, however it is unlikely as most shipments from Mexico are untainted. The DEA has not yet traced the origin of the record seizure, but they estimate that it has a wholesale value of around $3 million, and an even higher street value.

Murphy pointed out the ‘confidence’ of the cartel, to make a shipment this large all at once. The DEA said that the specific Clayton County Farmers Market that the meth was uncovered at, has been used as a way station for illegal drug shipments before.

The Georgia Agriculture Commissioner is working with drug enforcement agents to put an end to this.

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