Federal authorities have dismantled a multi-state drug trafficking organization that allegedly utilized the Darknet to ship kilogram quantities of heroin across the Southeast, resulting in federal charges for two men.
Eric Turner, 30, of Lizella, Georgia, and Jose Smith, 29, of Valrico, Florida, are charged in a federal indictment with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute heroin. The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe. If convicted, both Turner and Smith face a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years and up to life in federal prison.
Court documents indicate that the operation began at least two years ago in 2024, originally starting with the distribution of illicit pills before escalating to large-scale heroin trafficking. Federal investigators used digital evidence, postal records, physical surveillance, drug seizures, and an undercover sting operation to piece together how the network functioned.
According to law enforcement, Turner sourced the kilogram-bricks of heroin from Georgia and mailed them directly to Smith’s residence in Florida.
From there, Smith allegedly broke the bricks down into smaller quantities and packaged them for delivery to buyers on the Darknet. By April 2026, the duo’s online vendor account recorded more than 2,500 completed heroin transactions. The account also featured thousands of reviews from buyers praising the quality of the heroin.
The Drug Enforcement Administration led the investigation into the ring. They received assistance from the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, and the Georgia State Patrol. Assistant United States Attorney Belkis H. Callaos is assigned to prosecute the case.
An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty in a court of law.
READ: Inside The Texas Crackdown That Just Leveled 5 Drug Ring Operations
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