Authorities say Clara Mendoza is linked to property in Dahlonega where second meth lab was found
Local, state and federal drug agents are searching for a woman wanted in connection with an ongoing investigation into a major drug trafficking ring in North Georgia. Agents believe 32-year-old Clara Catarino Mendoza fled with her two juvenile children after authorities began moving in on meth labs in Lumpkin and Union Counties last week.
“It is fair to say that this North Georgia Law Enforcement Team has dismantled a criminal organization that, at a minimum, has produced and distributed 385 gallons of methamphetamine onto the streets of our communities.”
On Friday, Sept. 15, five suspects were arrested and a meth conversion lab dismantled following a traffic stop in Lumpkin County. Based on evidence seized, authorities executed additional search warrants on two properties in Dahlonega five days later. Officers with the Lumpkin County Sheriff’s Office, Appalachian Regional Drug Enforcement Office (ARDEO) and FBI searched locations at 289 Iberian Road and 126 Antique Way. The Iberian Road residence had been destroyed by fire, says ARDEO Special Agent in Charge Mitchell Posey. Agents located a second conversion lab at Antique Way.
READ: 5 arrested in major North Georgia meth trafficking ring
“The lab components found at Antique Way were consistent with the lab found in Suches, Georgia last week,” says Posey. He says agents located seven empty 55 gallon drums, three of which tested positive for methamphetamine. They also found two AR-15 rifles, a pistol grip shotgun and a handgun.
Drug ring pumped “millions” in meth into communities
“It is fair to say that this North Georgia Law Enforcement Team has dismantled a criminal organization that at a minimum has produced and distributed 385 gallons of methamphetamine onto the streets of our communities,” Posey says. “Conservatively, this equates to hundreds of kilograms of crystal methamphetamine. The street value of this amount of methamphetamine is in the millions.”
The State Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating the “suspicious” fire at Iberian Way as arson, Posey says.
Posey says both properties are linked to Mendoza. She’s now a fugitive from justice. Warrants have been issued for her arrest on charges of conspiracy to manufacture and traffic methamphetamine.
Be on the lookout
Menodoza is described as a Hispanic female, 5’1″ tall, weighing 125 pounds. She may be driving a 2006 yellow H2 hummer with Georgia tag PYX 5020, a 2003 gray Ford Superduty Truck with Georgia tag PKM 9409, or a White BMW 4 door sedan – exact model and tag unknown.
If you see Mendoza or have any information on her whereabouts, please call the Lumpkin County Sheriff’s Office at 706-864-3633, the GBI at 1-800-597-8477, the FBI at 1-800-225-5324 or your local police department or sheriff’s office.
