Undercover ATF agents purchased 245 firearms from people in Glynn County, Ga., including a number of convicted felons, resulting in federal and state charges against 89 people, the agency announced Tuesday.
Dubbed “Operation Thunderbolt”, undercover agents over a nine month period purchased 245 firearms, including handguns, rifles, assault rifles and sawed-off shotguns along with about $200,000 worth of illegal drugs, including more than 3 pounds of cocaine, over 1,500 ecstasy pills, over 800 oxycodone pills and a quantity of methadone, ATF said.
ATF said a number of guns purchased by agents appeared to be stolen.
“Operation Thunderbolt was a bold effort to protect public safety by removing violent criminals who sell guns and drugs within our communities,” U.S. Attorney Edward Tarver said.