STATESBORO — A federal indictment unsealed on Wednesday charges a Mexican national and 19 other Statesboro-area residents with multiple felonies.

According to a release by the Georgia Department of Justice, felony charges include drug distribution, illegal firearms possession and related offenses resulting from a more than a two-year operation between federal, state and local agencies.


Natividad Dias, 38, is among the 20 individuals charged with multiple counts of trafficking in methamphetamine, cocaine and marijuana. The multi-agency investigation began in 2015 because of citizen complaints about drug-trafficking activities and violent crimes in Screven County and surrounding communities.

During the investigation, in 2016, the Screven County Sheriff's Office, in a collaboration with the Governor's Task Force/Drug Suppresion, seized more than 500 marijuana plants from a residence in Screven County relating to a conspiracy charge, according to the release. As the investigation progress, discoveries were made about the trafficking of methamphetamine and marijuana in Screven, Effingham, Jenkins, Bulloch and Evans counties.

Law enforcement agencies were able to conduct controlled purchases, state search warrants, traffic stops and were able to seize methamphetamine, cocaine and other drugs, along with multiple firearms throughout the investigation. Using the information compiled during the investigation, federal prosecutors were able to secure an indictment, under seal, of the 20 defendants, according to the release.

The federal charges included in the indictment include:

Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute and to Distribute Controlled Substances - Carries a sentence of 10 years imprisonment to life, along with fines of up to $10 million. Possession with Intent to Distribute a Controlled Substance (100 or more marijuana plants regardless of weight) - Carries sentences ranging from five to 40 years imprisonment and fines of up to $5 million. Possession with Intent to Distribute a Controlled Substance (5 grams or more of Methamphetamine, 50 grams or more of a mixture of Methamphetamine, 500 grams of a mixture of Cocaine)- Carries a sentence of five to 40 years’ imprisonment and a fine of up to $5 million. Distribution of Controlled Substances, and Possession of Controlled Substances with Intent to Distribute - Carries a maximum sentence of 20 years’ imprisonment, but may carry increased minimum and maximum terms of imprisonment based on the quantity of controlled substances involved and the prior drug convictions of the defendant Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Crime - Carries a minimum sentence of five years’ imprisonment, and up to a life imprisonment, consecutive to any other sentence imposed.
