Juan Carlos Solano Lorenzo and Jorge Luis Ramirez Bibiano, both citizens of Mexico who are in the United States illegally, appeared in federal court in Atlanta on charges related to alleged methamphetamine distribution and illegal possession of a loaded pistol.
“Quick work by our law enforcement partners disrupted this drug trafficking enterprise,” said U.S. Attorney Theodore S. Hertzberg. “Agents seized large quantities of drugs, a firearm, and subsequently arrested the two defendants who are in our country illegally and will face justice here.”
“As part of the DEA’s Fentanyl-Free America initiative, DEA and our state and local partners are united in sending a clear message: trafficking dangerous drugs and carrying firearms will not be tolerated,” said Jae W. Chung, Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Atlanta Field Division. “These arrests demonstrate our continued commitment to dismantling drug trafficking organizations and preventing the violence they bring into our communities.”
According to information presented in court, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) agents learned that Solano Lorenzo and Ramirez Bibiano were allegedly distributing kilogram quantities of methamphetamine throughout metro-Atlanta. The pair reportedly operated their activities from an apartment near Piedmont Park.
On January 21, 2026, federal agents executed a search warrant at this apartment, discovering approximately 44 kilograms of methamphetamine, 22 pills suspected to contain fentanyl marked as “M30,” and a loaded firearm found next to Ramirez Bibiano’s wallet. Further investigation confirmed that both men are Mexican citizens unlawfully present in the United States.
Solano Lorenzo, age 30 from Guerrero, Mexico, appeared before Chief U.S. Magistrate Judge Russell G. Vineyard on charges including possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. Ramirez Bibiano, age 28 also from Guerrero, was charged with possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and possession of a firearm by an illegal alien.
Both individuals have been remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service while awaiting further proceedings.
Authorities emphasized that criminal complaints contain only charges; defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.
The case is being investigated by the DEA with support from local agencies including the Marietta-Cobb-Smyrna Organized Crime Task Force Narcotics Unit, Georgia State Patrol, Gwinnett County Sheriff’s Office, and Atlanta Police Department.
Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Amy Schwarzl is prosecuting this matter.
This prosecution is part of Operation Take Back America—a national effort led by the Department of Justice aimed at combating illegal immigration-related crime and dismantling transnational criminal organizations.
The U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Georgia serves as the primary federal law enforcement agency for north Georgia—including Atlanta—handling criminal prosecutions such as this one alongside civil cases for millions of residents across its jurisdiction (official website). The office collaborates with other agencies to address issues like drug trafficking (official website), maintains its main office in Atlanta (official website), coordinates nationally significant cases (official website), and is led by Theodore S. Hertzberg (official website).
Parents and children seeking information about drug dangers can visit www.justthinktwice.gov for resources recommended by federal authorities.
