Horse Farm Meth Lab Suspects Indicted

Two men arrested for allegedly operating a meth lab at a horse farm in Canon have been indicted on multiple charges.

34-year-old Dustin Tyler Burgess of Ellijay and 30-year-old Uriel Mendoza of Copperhill, Tennessee were arrested Wednesday, August 24 after a tip lead to a multi-agency investigation, according to Trent Hillsman with the GBI’s Appalachian Regional Drug Enforcement Office.

Both were indicted last week by a Franklin County Grand Jury on charges of felony trafficking in methamphetamine, felony possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, and two felony counts of manufacturing methamphetamine in the presence of children.

Hillsman said ARDEO agents received information of suspicious activity occurring at the address of 2064 Highway 327/New Franklin Church Road, in Canon.

The stable where the meth was being manufactured sits on a 98-acre horse farm owned by Matthew Bernes of Atlanta.

Franklin County Sheriff Steve Thomas tells WLHR News Bernes was renting the house and barn to Burgess and Mendoza.

According to Hillsman agents obtained and executed a search warrant at the horse farm and discovered an active methamphetamine conversion lab inside one of the stable barns.

He said the pair were using the stable to convert liquid methamphetamine to crystal methamphetamine for distribution.

Their operation was so large, agents contacted the DEA Clan Lab Team to assist in the collection of evidence and disposal of hazardous materials.

Agents seized approximately five kilograms of finished crystal methamphetamine and approximately 255 gallons of liquid methamphetamine solution.

According to Hillsman, it is estimated the amount of liquid methamphetamine solution that the lab was likely capable of producing was over 700 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine, with an estimated street value of over $7.8 million.

Mendoza was denied bond and Burgess’ bond hearing has been delayed because he had not obtained an attorney.

Agencies assisting in this investigation include the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office, Banks County Sheriff’s Office, Hall County Sheriff’s Office, Georgia State Patrol, and the DEA Clan Lab Team.