$9 million of marijuana seized in Atlanta's biggest trafficking bust

It could possibly be the biggest marijuana bust in Atlanta history, according to narcotics officers with decades of experience of fighting drugs on the streets.

More than $9 million worth of marijuana was seized Monday, according to officers.

“I think we got lucky to be honest with you, you know? But I’ll take luck sometimes any day,” said Deputy Chief Darryl Tolleson, Criminal Investigations Division, Atlanta Police Department.

Tolleson said it was a tip that led to the nearly 6,000 pounds of marijuana. That call came in around 5 p.m. Monday to report a shipment of drugs moving through the city.

Thursday, those 208 bales, wrapped in plastic and coated with Chlorine to try to evade K-9 detection, were locked up at an undisclosed evidence room.

“Of course we know that that helps, they’re trying to throw the dogs off should some dogs come around that particular truck. You guys smelled it, it’s a pretty intense smell back there,” said Tolleson.

.@Atlanta_Police announces seizure of $9 million worth of marijuana. @FOX5Atlanta pic.twitter.com/MAK4IJtKMx

— Claire Simms (@Claire_FOX5) January 19, 2017
The Georgia State Patrol worked with Atlanta police to pull over Jose Ibarra, 29, of Houston, as he drove a box truck north on Interstate 75. Once stopped, officers opened the back door to reveal the cargo area full of marijuana.

Ibarra has since been charged with trafficking marijuana.

Police said while large, the bust only makes a small dent in the market. Officers said they will remain vigilant, especially for the side effects the underground marijuana market can have on the communities.

“I see it every day. Most of our shootings are tied to gangs or drugs and many times it’s marijuana, it’s not some of the more dangerous stuff. So, it’s no doubt about it that crime is associated with all types of drugs, including marijuana,” said Deputy Chief Tolleson.

Ibarra remained in the Fulton County Jail Thursday evening without bond. He is scheduled to appear in court at the end of the month.

.@Atlanta_Police seize over 5,000 pounds of marijuana. Details coming up on @FOX5Atlanta at noon. pic.twitter.com/N2j0DZNzko

— Claire Simms (@Claire_FOX5) January 19, 2017
NEXT ARTICLE: Parents arrested after using baby to hide drugs

50 Comments

  1. Daniel Le on June 7, 2019 at 2:03 am

    biggest bust ever? no way! tons tons tons tons of them them getting across the nation daily!



  2. Ree Xx on June 7, 2019 at 2:06 am

    Meth



  3. bernie udo on June 7, 2019 at 2:06 am

    Oh oh…someone’s getting a pink slip. 🇺🇸



  4. Chris Chart on June 7, 2019 at 2:08 am

    And it made absolutely no difference.



  5. Shana Tinnin on June 7, 2019 at 2:09 am

    The police chief is doing cocaine …



  6. T Miller on June 7, 2019 at 2:09 am

    Dear god focus on the real ish that’s killing people not this stuff.



  7. Richard Andrews on June 7, 2019 at 2:10 am

    Couldn’t that many people know about it



  8. jyjygjy yjfyjygj on June 7, 2019 at 2:11 am

    SOME NASTY WEED I BET LMAO. EAST COAST HAVE SOME NASTY ASS WEED L0L



  9. Pimpishone on June 7, 2019 at 2:11 am

    I wonder who did the truck driver tell that snitched on him.



  10. ROWDY YATEZ. COLORBLIND on June 7, 2019 at 2:11 am

    SNITCHES!!!!!……. NEED……Y’ALL KNO THA REST!!!!



  11. haeron ruiz on June 7, 2019 at 2:12 am

    But where did it come from ?



  12. Y. Delgado on June 7, 2019 at 2:13 am

    9 million of reg was tipped off to cops and 100 million of high grade was in.



  13. Nick Nelson on June 7, 2019 at 2:15 am

    Legalize marijuana nationwide! Tax it, regulate it, grow it locally and put the profits back into the community. Most people dont smoke weed anyways, but those who do shouldn’t be giving their money to criminals or thugs or cartels. Nobody needs to die over a stupid plant… I havent smoked weed for 10 years, but I do believe it should be legalized.



  14. Theresa Serpa on June 7, 2019 at 2:15 am

    Bi££ the Wa££ with fresh Bundle’$
    of Carte£ 💰💰 💰 Money seized at the Broken Border’$$$$$$$$$$



  15. behvac on June 7, 2019 at 2:18 am

    The cops want jobs to bust there on kids for pot. Build jails. Make people die over a plant. Hell Places near Atlanta still have Prohibition on alcoholic in near by countys. Called dry countys. All through the south. A lot to do with Baptist and churchs. This will go back on the streets. Some millionaire will pay off the cops. Put it back on the streets. Why don’t they show us its buring in a furnace. Put it online. Have the public oversee the burn.



  16. Ron C on June 7, 2019 at 2:23 am

    Straight from Mexico. Along with some fentanyl. Ya don’t need a wall.



  17. Camaronsmith Carlos on June 7, 2019 at 2:25 am

    😂😂😂laws just dont know 25 million past rite threw them with no problem wile they was all happy with they 9 mil..😂😂..from H-town to New York allllllllll the wayyyyyyyy..



  18. Mike newman on June 7, 2019 at 2:25 am

    Build the wall, we can grow our own here.



  19. willam Estrada on June 7, 2019 at 2:26 am

    Cartel gave that weed but got 4 tons of coke that week in ATL



  20. Adam Bailey on June 7, 2019 at 2:27 am

    Man I would be super happy getting on a bus and getting half an ounce in a legal state, and go camping……….why why why would you do such a stupid thing…



  21. candyapu3 on June 7, 2019 at 2:28 am

    Who snitched



  22. Micah Bolch on June 7, 2019 at 2:29 am

    No honor amongst thieves



  23. AzZZzA on June 7, 2019 at 2:29 am

    That’s wayyy less than 9 million worth



  24. Memo Heaven on June 7, 2019 at 2:30 am

    He was a mule. Trucks are passing with almost a billion dollars, so someone calls and says i think I smell weed on this License plate was 007 weed. They catch one, and the other drugs-pass by with flying colors 😂😂😂😂



  25. MrKickYouNdaNuts on June 7, 2019 at 2:30 am

    That is a lot of schwag ditch weed.



  26. Gott mit uns on June 7, 2019 at 2:31 am

    Fuggin snitches



  27. alberto portillo on June 7, 2019 at 2:33 am

    Its the demand don’t act stupid



  28. Shannon Sharpe Strange on June 7, 2019 at 2:34 am

    Boy stop



  29. Peter Goezinya on June 7, 2019 at 2:34 am

    6,000 pounds of weed is not worth 9 million 😂🤣



  30. C G676 on June 7, 2019 at 2:35 am

    “I’ll take luck sometimes…..any day “ 🤦🏽‍♂️🤷🏽‍♂️



  31. Smokey 420 on June 7, 2019 at 2:35 am


  32. Never broke Again on June 7, 2019 at 2:36 am

    The streets are safe now everyone



  33. Tyrone Jackson on June 7, 2019 at 2:36 am

    I wish I could have found him first me. My friend M-16 and my girl friend Ak-47.9 million the risk is worth it



  34. David Soltai on June 7, 2019 at 2:38 am

    Legalize and take the profits away from the Cartels



  35. matt Kazz on June 7, 2019 at 2:41 am

    If it’s such a big problem just Legalize It



  36. King Queen on June 7, 2019 at 2:43 am

    Its nothing we can grow some more😂



  37. Austin klein on June 7, 2019 at 2:44 am

    Whoever tipped them off deserves to die. This ain’t heroin faggaot snitch bitch!



  38. Dylan Wagner on June 7, 2019 at 2:44 am

    Competition be snitching 🤫



  39. James Stanley on June 7, 2019 at 2:44 am

    yeah thye us doesn’t need a border wall



  40. J Cwell on June 7, 2019 at 2:46 am

    If you make it legal to grow your own and trade it you wont have crime.. this guy is a wako.



  41. Jimmy Treece on June 7, 2019 at 2:46 am

    While they were focusing on one truck another three uHaul trucks already passed through.



  42. James Mulkerrin on June 7, 2019 at 2:49 am

    Got my bong smokey!!!



  43. Javier Perwz on June 7, 2019 at 2:49 am

    While smoking weed. Legally



  44. Josh Garate on June 7, 2019 at 2:50 am

    Kinda looks like the lawyer from better call Saul



  45. Doodah Man on June 7, 2019 at 2:54 am

    That snitch bitch must be really proud of himself. Got all that marijuana off the street.



  46. Hunter Schrantz on June 7, 2019 at 2:54 am

    Maybe crimes wouldn’t be tied to marijuana if marijuana wasnt a crime



  47. Ira Dorsey on June 7, 2019 at 2:55 am

    CIA and Cartel money



  48. Lamont Marbury on June 7, 2019 at 2:57 am

    Best believe me that you see right now is back on the streets crooked police officers say what you want but I bet you was back on the streets



  49. cecil tossie on June 7, 2019 at 2:58 am

    This is Billy.Thank goodness you guys paid attention.Praises for good work



  50. big daddy on June 7, 2019 at 2:59 am

    I think we got lucky, he corrupt af