Abelardo Avila Gomez, a Mexican national who was previously deported from the United States, 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.”
According to information presented by U.S. Attorney Hertzberg and details from a criminal complaint filed in federal court, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) agents executed a search warrant at a Brookhaven apartment on February 19, 2026. Agents found 15 rectangular-shaped bricks containing approximately 37 pounds of fentanyl inside the residence. Avila Gomez was arrested in the parking lot and allegedly confirmed he lived there, had illegally reentered the United States in March 2023 after being deported in November 2014, and was involved with distributing fentanyl.
The investigation determined that Avila Gomez has no legal status in the United States and is a citizen of Mexico.
Avila Gomez, age 46 and originally from Acapulco, Mexico, appeared before a U.S. Magistrate Judge on charges including possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and illegal re-entry after removal.
Authorities emphasized that these are only allegations at this stage; Avila Gomez is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.
The case is being investigated by multiple agencies including the DEA as well as local police departments such as Atlanta Police Department, Doraville Police Department, Georgia Bureau of Investigation, Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, Gwinnett County Sheriff’s Office, Dekalb County Police Department, Georgia Department of Community Supervision, Clayton County Police Department, Walton County Sheriff’s Office, and Sandy Springs Police Department.
Assistant U.S. Attorney James Hwang is prosecuting the case.
This prosecution falls under Operation Take Back America—a nationwide initiative led by the Department of Justice focused on addressing illegal immigration issues and dismantling cartels or transnational criminal organizations.
The office recommends that parents and children learn more about drug dangers at www.justthinktwice.gov.
The U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Georgia serves as principal federal law enforcement agency for a region covering north Georgia mountains through Atlanta suburbs to borders with Alabama and Carolinas official website. The office coordinates cases with national or international scope official website, enforces federal criminal laws while collaborating with other agencies to protect public safety official website, prioritizes threats like terrorism or human trafficking official website, represents civil matters for the United States official website, and is currently led by Theodore S. Hertzberg official website.
