A Georgia man described as the second-in-command to a Mexican national leading an illegal drug pipeline was sentenced on April 2 to more than 21 years in prison for supplying large amounts of methamphetamine and heroin, according to federal authorities.
Noe Canela, 37, of Lilburn, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute controlled substances earlier this year. He received a sentence of 260 months in prison followed by five years of supervised release. The sentencing marks the conclusion of a multi-agency investigation into a drug trafficking ring centered in Milledgeville, Georgia.
U.S. Attorney William R. “Will” Keyes said, “Noe Canela is being held accountable for trafficking large quantities of dangerous drugs from a Mexican cartel into Georgia. This case proves that justice will prevail, no matter how long it takes.” Keyes added that coordinated law enforcement efforts kept significant quantities of drugs off state streets and brought offenders to justice.
Jae W. Chung, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration Atlanta Field Division said, “Those who distribute methamphetamine pose a grave danger to the community. These traffickers can no longer deliver dangerous drugs on the streets and must now face the consequences of their actions.”
Robert Gibbs with FBI Georgia’s Macon office said that removing these drugs prevents crime and violence: “With the help of our federal, state and local partners, this is a significant amount of poison that will not make it into our communities.”
According to court documents presented at trial, investigators identified Jarvis Havior as leader of the Milledgeville-based operation after receiving information from confidential sources in June 2020 about multi-kilogram distribution activities. Agents discovered several houses used for storing narcotics and cash linked with Havior’s group.
The investigation revealed Canela supplied Havior with bulk methamphetamine using Nicholas Cuevas-Flores as an intermediary; Flores was arrested during a controlled delivery involving 15 kilograms in October 2021. Subsequent searches led agents to seize over thirty kilograms (67 pounds) of methamphetamine at Flores’ Stone Mountain residence—where Canela was found—as well as heroin and firearms.
Authorities also executed warrants at Canela’s home where marijuana was seized along with evidence indicating production activity in his basement.
Nineteen co-defendants have already been sentenced for roles ranging from possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine or heroin to unlawful use of communication facilities connected with drug transactions.
Baldwin County Sheriff Bill Massee said: “Noe Canela evaded justice while maintaining his criminal enterprises and ties to a Mexican cartel… Baldwin County and Georgia are safer as a result.” GBI Director Chris Hosey commented: “The GBI is committed to getting these drugs off the streets by bringing to justice all those that take part in the illegal drug trade…”
The case forms part of Operation Take Back America—a Department of Justice initiative targeting cartels and transnational criminal organizations—and involved multiple agencies including DEA, FBI, GBI Ocmulgee Drug Task Force among others.
