A Georgia woman was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison last week for her role in a drug trafficking organization that transported large quantities of methamphetamine from Mexico into the United States, often using unconventional methods to conceal the illicit substances.
Brooke Logan Paniagua, 28, of Dalton, Ga., received her sentence on May 14, 2025, from U.S. District Judge Richard G. Stearns in Massachusetts.
Following her release, Paniagua will serve 48 months of supervised release.
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In January 2025, Paniagua pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense.
The court heard details of Paniagua’s involvement in a drug trafficking organization (DTO) that drew federal attention in September 2022. On September 25, 2022, the DTO informed a confidential source that a female courier would be transporting 12 pounds of methamphetamine from Georgia to Massachusetts.
Two days later, on September 27, 2022, Paniagua contacted the confidential source to arrange the time and location for the drug sale. During this call, Paniagua reportedly disclosed that the methamphetamine was ingeniously hidden inside a 50-pound bag of dog food.
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Later that same day, Paniagua arrived at the pre-arranged location. Upon her arrival, law enforcement officials searched her, discovering a loaded .22 caliber Ruger handgun with eight rounds of ammunition in her back pocket.
A subsequent search of Paniagua’s vehicle yielded a partially opened bag of dog food, which, upon closer inspection, was found to contain five plastic containers holding a total of 12.3 pounds of 97% pure methamphetamine.
United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Stephen Belleau, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Field Division, announced Paniagua’s sentencing.
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