Gerardo Solorio-Alvarado, a Mexican national previously convicted of federal drug offenses, and Nelson Enrique Sorto, an Atlanta resident, are facing federal charges after authorities seized nearly 1,600 pounds of methamphetamine hidden in blackberry shipments at sites in Southeast Atlanta and Gainesville, Georgia.
“These repeat offenders, including an illegal alien, allegedly attempted to conceal and traffic an enormous quantity of deadly methamphetamine in our community,” said U.S. Attorney Theodore S. Hertzberg. “We are thankful for the quick action of our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners who apprehended these individuals and stopped nearly 1,600 pounds of methamphetamine from hitting the streets.”
FBI Atlanta Special Agent in Charge Paul Brown stated: “The FBI will never waver in our commitment to disrupt traffickers and prevent their dangerous drugs from reaching our streets, no matter where they try to hide them. Thanks to the quick response and dedicated efforts of our law enforcement partners, these repeat offenders will be held responsible for their crimes.”
Chris Hosey, Director of the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, added: “This indictment serves as a clear message that drug trafficking has no place in our communities. It shows what can be accomplished when law enforcement works together with determination and purpose. We remain committed to working alongside our federal, state, and local partners to pursue and disrupt the plans of those who threaten our communities through drug trafficking.”
Hall County Sheriff Gerald Couch commented: “These arrests and the confiscation of this massive amount of methamphetamine represent a major disruption to the criminals who traffic this dangerous poison in our communities. Hall County Sheriff’s Office investigators worked tirelessly in this case to hold accountable those who threaten the well-being of people in our county and communities across Georgia. I’m incredibly proud of the teamwork displayed by our investigators and our state and federal partners.”
According to information presented by prosecutors, on November 20, 2025, law enforcement surveilled a cold storage warehouse in Fulton County where three refrigerated box trucks were parked outside. Agents followed one truck driven with an SUV by Sorto to a residence in southeast Atlanta. Sorto examined the truck’s contents before leaving with two passengers; police later stopped his vehicle and found firearms along with several containers of blackberries inside.
A subsequent search revealed about 924 pounds of methamphetamine concealed among pallets of blackberries inside the box truck at the Atlanta residence.
Simultaneously, another team tracked a second box truck from the warehouse to Gainesville. After Solorio-Alvarado picked up its driver at a gas station—and following a K9 alert—agents searched the abandoned truck there and found approximately 661 pounds more methamphetamine hidden among blackberry pallets. Solorio-Alvarado was arrested at his home while attempting to flee; deputies recovered keys matching those for the abandoned vehicle.
Investigators determined that Solorio-Alvarado had previously served 17 years for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine as well as firearm-related charges linked to drug trafficking. Sorto is currently on probation for a 2024 conviction involving possession of methamphetamine in Hall County.
Solorio-Alvarado was indicted by a federal grand jury on December 2 on conspiracy and possession with intent to distribute charges; Sorto was charged via criminal complaint on December 1.
Officials emphasized that all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt at trial.
The investigation involved multiple agencies including the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI), Hall County Sheriff’s Office—with assistance from Georgia State Patrol and Hall County District Attorney’s Office.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jennifer Keen and Dwayne Brown Jr. are prosecuting these cases.
These prosecutions fall under Operation Take Back America—a Department of Justice initiative focused on combating illegal immigration as well as dismantling cartels and transnational criminal organizations—and also align with Homeland Security Task Force efforts established under Executive Order 14159 aimed at eliminating criminal cartels operating within or affecting U.S. communities.
For additional resources about drug prevention aimed at parents and children visit www.justthinktwice.gov.
Further information is available through the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office or online at http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga.
