ATF agents dismantle an arms trafficking ring bought in Georgia
Five Georgians are charged in a gun operation involving guns purchased in Georgia and shipped north to Philadelphia.
ATLANTE – Hundreds of guns purchased in Georgia have been seized in Pennsylvania in a major gun smuggling case. ATF agents say five Georgians now face charges.
“Firearms trafficking is the movement of firearms from the legal market to the illegal market,” said ATF agent Matthew Varisco.
Federal authorities say about 300 firearms purchased from 2 dozen sporting goods stores and gun shows across Georgia were transported to Philadelphia to be sold on the streets.
“Firearms trafficked illegally in Philadelphia are made available on the black market to people who cannot legally purchase firearms,” said Jennifer Arbittier Williams, U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.
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ATF agents say an Atlanta rapper, Frederick Norman, known as Slowkey Fred, personally purchased several of these guns. They say he worked with Brianna Walker also from Atlanta and 3 men from Villa Rica, Charles O’Bannon, Stephen Norman and Devin Church. . These 5 along with 6 others from Philadelphia, who agents say were part of the operation, sold the guns on the black market for more than $100,000.
“They know they can make a big profit selling these weapons they acquired on the streets of Philadelphia,” said agent Robert Cucinotta.
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Authorities say buyers can’t legally buy a gun or may be trying to hide something.
“It’s a good way to mask suspicion around you if you get these firearms from another state,” Officer Cucinotta said.
While numerous weapons have been recovered, there are dozens still missing, but officers say this bust sends a message.
“That’s what we do as an agency and we always look into these types of crimes. Maybe that will deter others who are trying to make money this way,” Officer Cucinotta said.
These five Georgians are charged with conspiracy to sell firearms without a license.
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