Operation Southern Forest Trident Nets 25 Illegal Immigrants in Northeast Georgia Forests

A multi-agency crackdown in northeast Georgia forest lands ended with the arrest of 25 illegal immigrants, including felons and an alleged cartel member. The dayslong operation uncovered drugs, fugitives and suspects hiding in remote wooded areas.

Authorities dubbed the effort "Southern Forest Trident." It ran from May 1 to May 6 across parts of Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina. The U.S. Forest Service Law Enforcement and Investigations division led it with federal, state and local agencies.

In Stephens County, Georgia, officers set up checkpoints and conducted aggressive patrols on remote roads around forest service lands. The goal was to intercept fugitives, drug traffickers and individuals living in the country illegally.

The operation involved officers and investigators from the U.S. Forest Service, Stephens County Sheriff’s Office, Georgia State Patrol, Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Department of Homeland Security and the FBI North Georgia Major Offenders Task Force.

Department of Homeland Security agents arrested the 25 illegal immigrants in Stephens County, including 14 with prior felony convictions. Officials identified one suspect as a confirmed cartel member.

One dramatic moment came Tuesday afternoon. Two individuals bailed from a traffic stop on Highway 365 near Rock Road and fled into wooded terrain, according to the Stephens County Sheriff's Office.

Law enforcement launched a large-scale manhunt with multiple agencies and K-9 units. Those included U.S. Forest Service K-9 teams, Habersham County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Bane and Stephens County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Taz.

Hours later, officers captured one suspect near Trestle Ridge Road. Authorities identified the man as 31-year-old Minton Carreto, wanted in the metro Atlanta area and illegally residing in the United States. The second suspect remains at large and is believed to have escaped the area.

Investigators made multiple drug arrests during traffic stops. Suspects faced charges of possessing methamphetamine, cocaine, marijuana and oxycodone.

Victor Pena, 42, of Cornelia, and Kristen Sloan, 33, of Maysville, went into custody after deputies found methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia during a traffic stop.

Mark Justice, 48, of Eastanollee, and Rebecca Wood, 30, of Toccoa, were arrested after officers uncovered methamphetamine, marijuana and a glass smoking pipe in a vehicle. Justice also faced an outstanding Stephens County warrant.

Deputies arrested Dakoda Ponder, 29, of Toccoa, after finding cocaine and a suspected oxycodone pill during a traffic stop. He faced an additional DUI charge.

Christian Villagomez, 29, of Clarkesville, went into custody on outstanding fishing violation warrants.

By the end, the U.S. Forest Service issued 33 federal citations for traffic offenses to drug violations. Georgia State Patrol gave 58 warnings and 36 traffic citations. Georgia DNR officers handed out multiple hunting and fishing citations, the sheriff's office said.

Stephens County Sheriff Rusty Fulbright praised the coordinated operation. He warned that isolated forest regions can become hot spots for criminal activity if left unchecked.

"Many of these areas aren’t frequently patrolled in most counties, and crime can go unnoticed," Fulbright said in a statement. "This behavior affects our families, as well as our social and physical environments."

Fulbright said authorities remain committed to aggressive criminal interdiction in rural northeast Georgia.

"We are proud to work with our federal and state partners to curb the flow of illegal drugs and other crime in Stephens County," he said. "We are working to create a safer, stronger Stephens."

Fox News Digital reached out to the U.S. Forest Service and DHS for comment.