55 people arrested in large drug trafficking case based in St. Simons Island, Glynn County
BRUNSWICK, Ga. (WTOC) - 55 of 56 people have been captured and indicted in a large drug trafficking case based in Glynn County and St. Simons Island, according to the FBI.
All suspects are charged with variations of possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance. Some also face firearms charges.
WTOC had a reporter on the scene as the FBI held a press conference to announce these arrests. Video of that press conference is embedded below.
More than 150 special agents, deputies, and police officers from multiple agencies combined to make the early morning arrests, the FBI says. SWAT teams from FBI Atlanta, FBI Jacksonville, the Glynn County Police Department, and Brunswick Police combined to make some of the most dangerous arrests.
“These crimes won’t be tolerated in our community,” Margaret Heap, US Attorney, said. “We’re going to go after anyone who continue to harm people in this community.”
Officials say members of the group were traveling to LA, Miami, Atlanta, and Jacksonville to source the drugs. “One indicted suspect communicated with a supplier in China and had multiple kilos of drugs shipped to Brunswick from overseas,” the FBI says.
The FBI’s goal in this investigation is not just to put people in handcuffs for a few days, but to build cases that cut to the capability of criminal enterprises, putting the worst offenders behind bars for long periods of time in order to keep our communities safe.
The FBI is committed to pursuing drug traffickers regardless of their location, wealth, or social standing.
Whether criminals operate in affluent neighborhoods or areas that are more economically challenged, we will hold them accountable with equal intensity and determination.
Brian Ozden, FBI Atlanta Assistant Special Agent
The drug trafficking operation is said to be responsible for distributing large quantities of methamphetamine, MDMA, fentanyl, cocaine, crack cocaine, and marijuana through the area.
FBI Director Kash Patel commented on the operation on X, calling it “one of our most significant takedowns yet.”
Early this morning, @FBIAtlanta executed a major operation arresting 55 individuals tied to a Glynn County, Georgia-based drug trafficking organization - allegedly responsible for trafficking fentanyl, meth, cocaine and more.
— FBI Director Kash Patel (@FBIDirectorKash) February 4, 2026
Over 150 agents and law enforcement partners… pic.twitter.com/RCoXd8WJuV
Rep. Buddy Carter also commented on the operation on X, saying the FBI is “cleaning up our streets and restoring LAW and ORDER.” You can view that post below.
Early this morning, @FBIAtlanta executed a major operation arresting 55 individuals tied to a Glynn County, Georgia-based drug trafficking organization - allegedly responsible for trafficking fentanyl, meth, cocaine and more.
— FBI Director Kash Patel (@FBIDirectorKash) February 4, 2026
Over 150 agents and law enforcement partners… pic.twitter.com/RCoXd8WJuV
Brunswick Police Chief Angela Smith says people deserve to feel safe in their own neighborhoods. “Citizens have asked the law enforcement agencies in this community, what are we going to do with crime?” Chief Smith said, ”I believe that this operation is indicative of the work that is being done."
The FBI expects the final person indicted in the case to turn herself in “in the coming days.” All indicted defendants are considered innocent unless and until proven guilty.
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