Atlanta, Georgia – Federal authorities arrested a previously convicted felon and undocumented immigrant after uncovering one of the largest methamphetamine seizures the region has ever seen. Nearly 1,600 pounds of meth—worth tens of millions of dollars—was discovered concealed inside commercial blackberry shipments moving through the Atlanta metro area.
Gerardo Solorio-Alvarado, 44, a Mexican national who spent 17 years in federal prison for drug trafficking and firearm crimes, now faces new federal charges after investigators say he helped coordinate the transport of massive meth loads disguised as produce. His alleged accomplice, Nelson Enrique Sorto, 36, of Atlanta, was also taken into custody.
How Investigators Tracked the Cocaine-Like Meth Shipments
Federal agents and Hall County sheriff’s deputies began surveillance on Nov. 20, monitoring a cold-storage warehouse in Fulton County where three refrigerated box trucks sat parked. Authorities believed the trucks were tied to narcotics trafficking activity.
When one truck pulled away, investigators followed it to a Gainesville gas station. The driver abandoned the vehicle, and agents watched as Solorio-Alvarado picked him up and drove off. A K-9 later alerted officers to the odor of narcotics inside the truck.
Inside the load, officers found approximately 661 pounds of methamphetamine hidden between stacked blackberry pallets.
Second Truck Leads to Even Bigger Haul
A separate team tailed a second refrigerated truck traveling alongside an SUV allegedly driven by Sorto. After stopping the SUV past midnight, troopers found two firearms and multiple containers of blackberries inside the vehicle.
Investigators then searched the box truck parked outside a southeast Atlanta residence and discovered an even larger stash—about 924 pounds of meth, also hidden between produce pallets.
Combined, the seizures totaled 1,585 pounds of methamphetamine.
Suspects Captured at Separate Locations
Solorio-Alvarado was arrested after attempting to flee from the back of his Gainesville home. Agents recovered the keys to the abandoned truck inside the residence.
Sorto, who is currently on probation for a 2024 felony meth conviction, was arrested during the SUV stop.
Both men are being held in state custody and will be transferred to the U.S. Marshals Service before appearing in federal court.
Federal Prosecutors: “A Massive Drug Operation”
At a Wednesday press conference, U.S. Attorney Theodore Hertzberg confirmed the weight and street value of the seized narcotics and criticized Solorio-Alvarado’s presence in the country following his previous long-term prison sentence.
“He served nearly two decades in federal prison for drug trafficking and possessing a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking,” Hertzberg said. “He was then, and he remains, an illegal alien, unlawfully present in the United States.”
Hertzberg added that cartels have repeatedly used produce shipments to disguise narcotics, noting past cases involving cucumbers, peppers, and celery.
Charges and Possible Sentences
Gerardo Solorio-Alvarado
- Charged with conspiracy and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine
- Faces at least 15 years in federal prison due to prior convictions
- Maximum penalty: life in prison without parole
Nelson Enrique Sorto
- Charged with possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine
- Faces a minimum of 10 years and up to life in prison
Prosecutors said they will seek detention without bond for both men.
Part of Homeland Security Task Force Initiative
Officials stated that the prosecution falls under the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) created by President Donald Trump’s executive order, Protecting the American People Against Invasion, aimed at combating transnational criminal activity and cartel-linked narcotics distribution.
Why Large Meth Seizures Continue to Rise
Major narcotics trafficking routes have increasingly used agricultural shipments to bypass detection. Methamphetamine—cheaper to produce in bulk and easier to transport in crystalline form—has surged across the Southeast, prompting increased federal–state task force operations.
Below is a quick breakdown of recent smuggling patterns:
| Concealment Method | Recent Trend |
|---|---|
| Produce shipments | High-volume trafficking disguised as food cargo |
| Refrigerated trucks | Used to mask odors and limit heat signatures |
| Mixed pallets | Drugs hidden between legitimate produce layers |
| Tandem vehicle escorts | SUVs or sedans used to scout law enforcement |
Authorities warn that these operations often involve international cartel coordination, making seizures of this size significant blows to supply networks.
Community Impact
Such large-scale meth trafficking fuels addiction crises, violent crime, and overdose rates across Georgia. Law enforcement agencies continue urging residents to report suspicious warehouse activity, abandoned trucks, and unusual transport patterns.
Conclusion
Federal investigators say the seizure of nearly 1,600 pounds of methamphetamine marks a major victory in the fight against cartel-linked operations in Georgia. With both suspects now facing severe federal penalties, prosecutors hope the bust will disrupt supply lines and deter similar operations.
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