Abelardo Avila Gomez, a Mexican national who was previously deported from the United States, has appeared in federal court in Atlanta on charges related to the alleged trafficking of 37 pounds of fentanyl from an apartment in Brookhaven.
“Avila Gomez allegedly trafficked a staggering amount of deadly fentanyl stored in his metro Atlanta apartment,” said U.S. Attorney Theodore S. Hertzberg. “Diligent efforts by our law enforcement partners stopped this illegal alien and removed his lethal stash from our streets.”
“With the seizure of 17.9 kilograms of fentanyl, our agents have removed an extraordinary amount of deadly poison from the streets,” said Jae W. Chung, Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Atlanta Field Division. “Fentanyl is measured in milligrams, not grams and this quantity had the potential to cause catastrophic harm. Through the Fentanyl Free America campaign, DEA and our law enforcement partners are aggressively targeting every level of the supply chain. Our mission is to save lives and protect our communities from those who profit off addiction and death.”
Federal authorities reported that on February 19, 2026, Drug Enforcement Administration agents executed a search warrant at a Brookhaven apartment where they found 15 bricks of fentanyl weighing about 37 pounds. Avila Gomez was arrested in the parking lot and allegedly confirmed both his residence at the location and his involvement with distributing fentanyl after illegally reentering the country in March 2023.
Investigators stated that Avila Gomez has no legal status in the United States and had previously been deported to Mexico in November 2014.
The defendant appeared before a U.S. Magistrate Judge on charges including possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and illegal re-entry by a previously removed alien.
Officials reminded that these are allegations only; Avila Gomez is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt at trial.
The case involves collaboration between several agencies including the Drug Enforcement Administration, local police departments, sheriff’s offices across multiple counties, as well as state-level investigative bureaus.
Assistant U.S. Attorney James Hwang is prosecuting this case as part of Operation Take Back America—a Department of Justice initiative focused on addressing illegal immigration, eliminating criminal organizations involved with narcotics trafficking, and protecting public safety.
The U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Georgia leads prosecutions for threats such as terrorism, human trafficking, civil rights violations and drug crimes across north Georgia—including metropolitan Atlanta—and works closely with other law enforcement bodies nationwide and internationally to enforce federal laws (official website). The office serves approximately 7.5 million residents within its jurisdiction (official website).
Parents and children are encouraged to learn more about drug dangers at www.justthinktwice.gov.
Further information can be obtained through the Public Affairs Office or by visiting the official website for updates regarding federal cases handled by this district.
