FBI Makes Substantial Arrests In Georgia Drug-Trafficking Case
Federal and local law enforcement officers arrested 55 people Wednesday in connection with a major drug trafficking operation based in coastal Georgia. The arrests followed the execution of 56 federal arrest warrants tied to a trafficking network that distributed large quantities of fentanyl, methamphetamine, cocaine, MDMA, crack cocaine, and marijuana in Glynn County and St. Simons Island.
Agents from the Federal Bureau of Investigation Atlanta Division led the operation, which involved more than 150 special agents, deputies, and local police officers. Assistance came from FBI field offices in Jacksonville, Dallas, Columbia, and Buffalo, as well as local law enforcement partners, the FBI said in a press release.
“This morning, FBI Atlanta, along with our federal, state and local partners, made a significant effort to crush violent crime here in the Glynn County community,” said Brian Ozden, assistant special agent in charge of the FBI’s Atlanta Division, during a news conference in Glynn County. “Our goal is not just to put people in handcuffs for a few days, but to build cases that dismantle criminal enterprises and keep our communities safe for the long term.”
Of the 56 people named in the federal indictment, 55 were taken into custody during early-morning raids across Georgia and in other jurisdictions. Officials said the final defendant is expected to surrender in the coming days.
Some of the suspects also face firearms charges in addition to drug trafficking counts. Authorities said the investigation revealed that members of the group traveled to major cities including Los Angeles, Miami, Atlanta and Jacksonville to obtain drugs for distribution in Southeast Georgia. One defendant was allegedly in contact with a supplier in China who shipped multiple kilograms of controlled substances to the area.
Several SWAT teams were deployed to carry out what officials called some of the most dangerous arrests. FBI SWAT teams from Atlanta, Jacksonville, Columbia, and Dallas participated, alongside teams from the Glynn County Police Department and the Brunswick Police Department. Further arrests were made with assistance from FBI offices in Texas, South Carolina, and New York.
Brunswick Police Chief Angela Smith stated that the operation demonstrates to residents that law enforcement is actively addressing crime concerns within the community.
“Citizens have asked, ‘What are we going to do about crime?'” Smith said. “This operation is indicative of the work being done. Residents and visitors deserve to feel safe, and we will continue to dismantle criminal elements in our community.”
Chris Hosey, Director of the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, emphasized the significance of inter-agency collaboration in this case.
“This investigation required time, patience, precision and partnership,” Hosey said. “It reflects what happens when agencies work together with one mission: protecting the people of Georgia and upholding public safety.”
The FBI said the one remaining suspect is still at large but is expected to turn herself in to authorities soon.
FBI Director Kash Patel highlighted what he described as a record-setting first year at the helm of the bureau during an appearance on Fox News last week, citing major gains in capturing fugitives from the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted list. Patel appeared on “Hannity” after host Sean Hannity noted that the FBI has apprehended six of its Ten Most Wanted fugitives in just one year.
Hannity contrasted that performance with the previous administration, stating that only four fugitives from the list were captured over a four-year span.
Patel said the difference reflects a fundamental change in how the bureau operates.
“The simple juxtaposition is that there was a weaponized bureau, a politicized bureau to go after political targets including President Trump and myself, versus the bureau of today that goes based on law and facts and works with our prosecutors,” Patel said.
House fails to adopt Iran war powers resolution
The House on Thursday failed to adopt a war powers resolution that attempted to curtail President Donald Trump's military actions in Iran.
It failed by a vote of 212-219. Republican Reps. Thomas Massie and Warren Davidson bucked GOP leaders by voting in favor; four Democrats voted against the resolution: Reps. Henry Cuellar, Jared Golden, Greg Landsman and Juan Vargas.
The resolution, which only expresses the sentiment of Congress, called on the president to terminate the use of U.S. armed forces in hostilities against Iran or any part of the Iranian government or military unless a declaration of war or authorization to use military force is enacted.
The measure was non-binding and not subject to the president's signature or veto.
Speaker Mike Johnson argued Wednesday that the United States is "not at war" but only engaged in a "defensive operation" in Iran.
“We're not at war right now,” Johnson told reporters at the Capitol. “We're in -- four days into a very specific, clear mission and operation."
Later on Wednesday, Trump contradicted Johnson, repeatedly referring to the conflict in Iran as a "war" hours after Johnson said it wasn't.
Sitting next to Johnson during a roundtable on energy prices, Trump said "we're doing very well on -- on the war front, to put it mildly."
A U.S. Army High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS) launches from an undisclosed location in support Operation Epic Fury.
US Army
Johnson had said that the "passage of a war powers resolution right now would be a terrible, dangerous idea."
"It would empower our enemies. It would kneecap our own forces, and it would take the ability of the U.S. military and the commander in chief away from completing this critical mission to keep everybody safe," he said Wednesday.
On Wednesday Senate Democrats failed to meet a 51-vote threshold on an alternate Iran war powers resolution sponsored by Democratic Sen. Tim Kaine and Republican Sen. Rand Paul. The resolution failed behind a 47-53 tally.
Ilhan Omar Guest Arrested After Demonstrating During Trump’s SOTU
One of Rep. Ilhan Omar’s invited guests was arrested Tuesday night after demonstrating during President Donald Trump’s State of the Union address, according to U.S. Capitol Police. Aliya M. Rahman, 43, of Minneapolis, was taken into custody after she stood and refused repeated orders to sit down in the House gallery.
“All State of the Union tickets clearly explain that demonstrating is prohibited,” Capitol Police said in a statement. “At approximately 10:07 p.m., a person in the House Gallery started demonstrating during tonight’s State of the Union Address. The guest was told to sit down, but refused to obey our lawful orders,” The New York Times
reported.
“It is illegal to disrupt the Congress and demonstrate in the Congressional Buildings, so 43-year-old Aliya M. Rahman of Minneapolis, Minnesota, was arrested for D.C. Code §10-503.16 — Unlawful Conduct, Disruption of Congress,” the statement added.
Rahman was later issued a citation release, which police described as routine.
Omar, D-Minn., invited Rahman as one of four guests attending the address. The Minnesota Democrat has been critical of Trump’s immigration enforcement policies and previously described Rahman as someone seeking accountability for Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Rahman made headlines in January after being detained by ICE officers in Minneapolis. Federal officials said she ignored repeated commands to move her vehicle away from an active enforcement scene and interfered with agents. Authorities said she was arrested after refusing to comply and engaging in obstructive conduct.
Rahman and her attorney have disputed that account.
In a statement to Newsweek following Tuesday’s arrest, her attorney, Alexa Van Brunt, said Rahman was targeted.
“Aliya Rahman was targeted at the State of the Union last night,” Van Brunt said. “After standing up in silence during the speech, Aliya was quickly taken away and arrested for ‘unlawful conduct’ and released just before 4 a.m. today. There is nothing unlawful about standing in silence and this is a blatant abuse of power. She was not disruptive or disrespectful. She was not holding a sign, making gestures, or wearing protest gear. She was simply standing in silence.”
Capitol Police said demonstrating of any kind is prohibited inside the chamber during a joint session of Congress.
Rahman previously told MS Now that attending the address felt necessary.
“I almost don’t feel like it was a choice,” she said. “I’m just so painfully aware that what happened to me is a very common experience in this country, except for the part where I got out and I got to come back to my community.”
“Honestly, the emotional toll of it is the reason that I think it’s still important to come be in front of people who are happy this happened to me or think I deserve worse,” she added.
The arrest came as Trump used the address to emphasize border security and immigration enforcement.
Rep. Omar responded to the arrest.
“My guest, Aliya Rahman, stood up silently in the gallery during the president’s speech for a short period of time, part of which other guests were also standing. For that, she was forcibly removed, despite warning officers about her injured shoulders and ultimately charged with ‘Unlawful Conduct,’” she said in a press release on her official website.
“Reports indicate she was aggressively handled until someone intervened to secure medical attention. She was taken to George Washington University Hospital for treatment and later booked at the United States Capitol Police headquarters, the representative said.
“The heavy-handed response to a peaceful guest sends a chilling message about the state of our democracy. I am calling for a full explanation of why this arrest occurred, she said.
