HOUSTON COUNTY, Ga. (WGXA) — A Macon man pleaded guilty to racketeering and drug trafficking in two middle Georgia counties, according to the Houston County District Attorney’s Office.
DA Eric Edwards says Joseph Rainey III, 57, was a member of a drug trafficking organization distributing narcotics in Bibb and Houston counties between May and August 2023.
Houston County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics investigators gathered information and evidence in the case by wiretapping cellphones.
They found that Raniey was distributing and selling methamphetamine and cocaine, and ” cooking” crack-cocaine as well. Rainey’s vehicle was searched during a traffic stop, and authorities seized over 28 grams of cocaine with a purity of 86%.
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DA Edwards says an additional 25 suspects were arrested in connection with the drug trafficking organization.
On June 5, Rainey pleaded guilty to violation of the Racketeering Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO) and trafficking in cocaine. He was sentenced to 20 years with the first 10 years to be served in prison, and fined $200,000.
Edwards stated the following in the release:
“Large-scale trafficking operations don’t just bring drugs into our community—they bring violence, exploitation, and fear. This sentence sends a clear message that we will not allow organized drug networks to take root in Houston County.”
Stick with WGXA as we learn more and keep you read for what’s next.
