Atlanta drug trafficker sentenced for heroin distribution
Skip to main content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Here’s how you know

Dot gov

Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Https

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock ( Lock A locked padlock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

  • Who We Are
    • About
    • Mission
    • History
    • Divisions
      • Domestic Divisions
      • Foreign Divisions
      • Operational Divisions
    • DEA Museum
    • Wall of Honor
    • Contact Us
      • Submit a Tip
      • Extortion Scam
      • Public Affairs
      • Social Media Directory
  • What We Do
    • Forensic Sciences
      • GUARDS
      • Forensic Sciences Policy
      • Forensic Science Organizations
      • Forensic Science Contact
    • Law Enforcement
      • DEA Office of Training
        • Office of Training Programs
      • El Paso Intelligence Center (EPIC)
      • Intelligence
      • Operations
        • Administrative Law Judges
        • DEA Asset Forfeiture
        • Domestic Cannabis Suppression / Eradication Program
        • HIDTA
        • OCDETF
    • Education and Prevention
      • Family Summit
      • Red Ribbon
      • Kiki and the History of Red Ribbon Week
      • Red Ribbon Toolkit - Resources For Your Community
      • DEA’s Family Summit
      • Operation Engage
      • Community Outreach
      • Just Think Twice
      • Campus Drug Prevention
      • Get Smart About Drugs
      • Operation Prevention
    • Drug Information
      • Drug Policy
      • Drug Scheduling
      • The Controlled Substances Act
    • News
      • Alerts
      • Press Releases
      • Most Wanted Fugitives
        • All Fugitives
      • Stories
      • Events
      • Speeches
      • Testimony
    • Campaigns
      • One Pill Can Kill
        • Senior Citizens
        • Partner Toolbox
        • Social Media Campaign
      • DEA National Prescription Drug Take Back Day
  • Careers
    • Special Agent
      • Special Agent FAQs
    • Diversion Investigator
      • Diversion Investigator Job Announcement
    • Intelligence Research Specialist
      • Intelligence Research Specialist Job Announcements
      • Intelligence Research Specialists FAQs
      • Schedule A Hiring Authority: Intelligence Research Specialist
    • Forensic Sciences Careers
    • Professional & Administrative Careers
    • Student & Entry Level Careers
    • Employment Eligibility
    • How to Apply
      • How To Claim Veterans' Preference
      • Priority Consideration
      • Benefits
      • Veterans and People With Disabilities
      • Operation Warfighter
  • Resources
    • Illegal Online Pharmacies
    • OD Justice
    • Fentanyl Supply Chain
    • Pill Press Resources
    • Recovery Resources
    • Together for Families
    • Data and Statistics
      • Domestic Arrests
      • Staffing and Budget
    • FOIA
      • About FOIA
      • Contact DEA FOIA
      • Make a Request
      • What Happens After Making a Request
      • Requester Categories
      • Fees Charged
      • Fee Waiver
      • FOIA FAQ
      • FOIA Logs and Reports
      • FOIA Library
      • Additional FOIA Links
      • FOIA Exemptions
      • What Are Exclusions?
      • Privacy Act
      • Privacy Act Exemptions
      • Privacy Impact Assessment and Management Information Systems
    • Publications
    • Media Galleries
    • Victim Witness Assistance Program
      • Victim Witness Assistance Program Resources
      • Human Trafficking Prevention

United States Drug Enforcement Administration

  • Get Updates
  • Scam Alert
  • Full Menu
  • English
  • Español

Main Menu

Explore DEA
  • Who We Are
    • About
    • Mission
    • History
    • Divisions
    • DEA Museum
    • Wall of Honor
    • Contact Us
  • What We Do
    • Forensic Sciences
    • Law Enforcement
    • Education and Prevention
    • Drug Information
    • News
    • Campaigns
  • Careers
    • Special Agent
    • Diversion Investigator
    • Intelligence Research Specialist
    • Forensic Sciences Careers
    • Professional & Administrative Careers
    • Student & Entry Level Careers
    • Employment Eligibility
    • How to Apply
  • Resources
    • Illegal Online Pharmacies
    • OD Justice
    • Fentanyl Supply Chain
    • Pill Press Resources
    • Recovery Resources
    • Together for Families
    • Data and Statistics
    • FOIA
    • Publications
    • Media Galleries
    • Victim Witness Assistance Program
  • Submit A Tip

Breadcrumb

  • Home
  • Atlanta drug trafficker sentenced for heroin distribution

Atlanta drug trafficker sentenced for heroin distribution

November 15, 2019
|
Share Article
|
Download Press Release
For Immediate Release
Contact: SA Crystal Harper
Phone Number: (571) 362-3433

ATLANTA – Ramone Shirley has been sentenced for possession with the intent to distribute heroin. Shirley is a prior convicted felon who had nearly 200 grams of heroin and two firearms in his possession when officers arrested him in 2018.

“The successful results of this investigation should let career criminals like Mr. Shirley know that those who flood our streets with dangerous drugs like heroin, will ultimately be brought to justice by DEA, its law enforcement partners and the United States Attorney’s Office,” said DEA Atlanta Division Special Agent in Charge Robert J. Murphy.

“Repeat offenders like Shirley pose a serious threat to public safety,” said U.S. Attorney Byung J. “BJay” Pak. “Their continual return to criminal activity represents a lack of fear of consequences for their actions. Citizens deserve safety and a drug-free community. Through our commitment to Operation SCOPE, we will continue prosecuting and removing repeat offenders from our streets.”

“This is a perfect example of cooperative drug law enforcement. The Atlanta-Carolinas HIDTA is committed to working with our federal, state, local and tribal partners to rid our communities of this poison,” said HIDTA Executive Director Dan R. Salter.

“We are pleased that our combined efforts have led to the conviction of this repeat offender and he will no longer be distributing his poison on the streets of Atlanta,” said Homeland Security Investigations Acting Special Agent in Charge Robert J. Hammer. “HSI is proud of its strong partnership with DEA Atlanta and will continue to partner with them to maximize our capabilities in dismantling these criminal networks.”

According to U.S. Attorney Pak, the charges and other information presented in court:

In June 2016, Shirley distributed three kilograms of cocaine to another drug dealer inside his shop in Atlanta. The cocaine was seized by Georgia State Patrol during a traffic stop, and DEA and Homeland Security Investigations agents eventually identified Shirley as the cocaine source.

After further investigation, agents arrested Shirley at his home on charges of distributing the cocaine seized in the 2016 traffic stop. During the arrest, they found a kilo-press, money counter, nearly 200 grams of heroin, and two loaded firearms, including one with an extended magazine. Agents also found parts of a kilo-press at Shirley’s shop, and his phone had videos of him waving vacuum-sealed bundles of cash. As a result of his conviction, Shirley forfeited his boat, a truck, two Harley Davidson motorcycles and cash.

Ramone Shirley, aka “Big Play Ray,” 44, of Atlanta, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Mark H. Cohen to seven years in prison to be followed by four years of supervised release. Shirley was convicted on these charges on April 9, 2019, after he pleaded guilty.

This case is presented as a part of Operation SCOPE (Strategically Combatting Opioids through Prosecution and Enforcement), which is an initiative launched by the U.S. Attorney’s Office to partner with federal and local law enforcement to fight the devastating effects that illegally-prescribed painkillers, heroin and synthetic opioids, such as fentanyl have on our neighborhoods.

The Drug Enforcement Administration, the Atlanta-Carolina High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Program and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations investigated this case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicholas Hartigan prosecuted the case.

The DEA encourages parents, along with their children, to educate themselves about the dangers of legal and illegal drugs by visiting DEA’s interactive websites at www.justhinktwice.com, www.GetSmartAboutDrugs.com and www.dea.gov. Also follow DEA Atlanta via Twitter at @DEAATLANTADiv.

# # #

 

Download Press Release
###
Heroin
US Department of Justice - Drug Enforcement Administration

Drug Enforcement Administration

Jae W. Chung, Acting Special Agent in Charge - Atlanta
@DEAAtlantaDiv
  • Facebook
  • X
  • Email

SAMHSA Behavioral Health Treatment Locator

  • Who We Are
    • About
    • Domestic Divisions
    • Foreign Offices
    • Contact Us
    • DEA Museum
  • What We Do
    • Forensic Sciences
    • Law Enforcement
    • Drug Prevention
    • Diversion Control Division
    • News
  • Careers
    • Special Agent
    • Diversion Investigator
    • Forensic Sciences
    • Intelligence Research Specialist
    • How to Apply
  • Resources
    • Drug Information
    • Employee Assistance Program
    • FOIA
    • Publications
    • Media Galleries
    • VWAP
  • Doing Business
    with the DEA
    • Overview
    • Current Vendors
    • Prospective Vendors
    • Security Clauses
    • Security Forms
    • Small Business Program
    • Vendor Engagement Request
  • Policies
    • Accessibility & Policy
    • Legal Policies & Disclaimers
    • No FEAR Act
    • Privacy Policy
    • U.S. Department of Justice EEO Policy
    • USA.gov
    • Whistleblower Protection
    • Your Rights as a Federal Employee

United States Drug Enforcement Administration

DEA.gov is an official site of the U.S. Department of Justice
Facebook X LinkedIn Instagram

DEA Contact Center

(202) 307-1000 info@dea.gov
Contact the Webmaster