Georgia Agriculture and the FBI

Last month, Georgia Department of Agriculture (GDA) Law Enforcement Division leaders attended the FBI’s Symposium on Threats to Agriculture in Omaha, Nebraska. The event focused on emerging risks to the nation’s agricultural sector, including biosecurity threats, cybersecurity challenges, and foreign adversaries, particularly China. Director Harlan Proveaux and Deputy Director Bruce Stanford were among the experts in attendance, contributing to discussions on protecting America’s food supply.

GDA Law Enforcement Officers have been instrumental in recent investigations targeting criminal activity in Georgia’s agriculture sector. In February they assisted in the largest marijuana bust in Pierce County history, with $22 million in illegal products seized. More recently, in August, GDA Officers, in collaboration with the DEA, intercepted 2,500 pounds of methamphetamine hidden in a shipment of celery at the Atlanta State Farmer’s Market.

“Crime is like water,” said Director Proveaux. “It follows the path of least resistance, but we are sending a clear message: agricultural crime will not go unchecked in Georgia.”