ATLANTA (WJBF) — Just in time for Thanksgiving, federal and local authorities dismantled a significant meth distribution network, confiscating close to 1,600 pounds of methamphetamine at two different sites within Georgia.

The FBI reported that these illegal substances were cleverly concealed within large blackberry shipments at locations in both southeast Atlanta and Gainesville. Officials highlight this as part of an increasing tactic where drug cartels utilize shipments of produce, such as cucumbers, celery, jalapeños, and now blackberries, to hide narcotics.

This successful operation was a collaborative effort involving the FBI, GBI, U.S. Attorney’s Office, and the Hall County Sheriff’s Office. As a result, federal charges have been brought against two individuals: one is an undocumented immigrant, and the other is an Atlanta resident linked to the scheme.

The investigation is still ongoing, and authorities indicate that additional arrests could be forthcoming.

FBI Special Agent Paul Brown remarked that this seizure delivers a substantial setback to drug trafficking activities in North Georgia. He further noted that this bust coincides with the recent establishment of a Homeland Security Task Force, initiated last month, specifically aimed at dismantling drug and gun trafficking operations.

U.S. Attorney Theodore Hertzberg said this is the latest in a series of large drug seizures involving produce.

“Just in the past few months, we’ve seen drugs smuggled in with cucumbers, celery, jalapeño peppers, and now blackberries,” he said.

This operation comes on the heels of another major case in metro Atlanta. Last month, FBI agents seized 21 kilograms of fentanyl and nearly $400,000 in cash from a rental home in Forest Park, near Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.

Authorities say they are continuing to investigate the source of the blackberry shipments and the cartel behind the operation. Because the case is active, officials have not publicly named the cartel involved.