Final convictions bring total to 35 in South Georgia drug ring

WAYCROSS, Ga. (WTOC) - The final two defendants in a large South Georgia drug trafficking case have been convicted, closing out a sweeping federal investigation.

A jury found Marquan Jenkins, 31, and Christopher Hawkins, 30, of Douglas guilty after a four-day trial in federal court in Waycross.

Prosecutors say the meth trafficking network operated across rural communities, with much of it directed from inside Georgia prisons using contraband cell phones. Jenkins was convicted on drug conspiracy and distribution charges and faces at least 10 years up to life in prison, while Hawkins was convicted on multiple drug charges and a firearm offense, facing a minimum of 15 years up to two life sentences, with no parole in the federal system.

Investigators say Jenkins led the operation from prison while Hawkins served as a key distributor, part of a 2025 federal case involving more than 30 defendants accused of trafficking drugs in and around Douglas over four years.

Officials say 35 defendants have now been convicted or pleaded guilty. One defendant died before trial, and another was acquitted.

Federal agencies, including the FBI and ATF, say the case highlights ongoing efforts to dismantle drug networks operating both inside prisons and in local communities.

Sentencing dates for Jenkins and Hawkins will be scheduled following pre-sentence investigations.