Gerardo Solorio-Alvarado, a Mexican national previously convicted of drug trafficking, and Nelson Enrique Sorto have been charged with federal drug offenses 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 commented on the case: “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 (GBI), stated: “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 added: “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 U.S. Attorney Hertzberg during court proceedings, on November 20, 2025, agents surveilled a cold storage warehouse in Fulton County where three refrigerated box trucks were observed. One truck was followed as it traveled with an SUV driven by Sorto to a residence in southeast Atlanta. Sorto checked inside the truck before leaving with two passengers; troopers then stopped his vehicle and found two firearms along with several containers holding blackberries.
A search of the box truck parked outside resulted in authorities discovering approximately 924 pounds of methamphetamine hidden among blackberry pallets.
Meanwhile, another team tracked a second box truck from the warehouse to a gas station in Gainesville. Solorio-Alvarado arrived at that location before departing with the driver; after a narcotics K9 alerted officers at the scene, about 661 pounds of methamphetamine were found concealed within more blackberry pallets inside an abandoned truck. Solorio-Alvarado was later arrested while attempting to flee his Gainesville home; keys matching those for the abandoned truck were recovered from his residence.
Investigators found that Solorio-Alvarado had previously served 17 years in prison for earlier convictions related to methamphetamine distribution and possession of a firearm during drug trafficking activities. They also learned that Sorto is currently on probation following a 2024 conviction for possession of methamphetamine.
Solorio-Alvarado has now been indicted by a federal grand jury on charges including conspiracy and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine; Sorto faces similar charges filed via criminal complaint.
Authorities emphasize that all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt at trial.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI), Hall County Sheriff’s Office led investigations into these cases with support from agencies such as Georgia State Patrol and Hall County District Attorney’s Office.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jennifer Keen and Dwayne Brown Jr. are prosecuting these cases.
This prosecution is part of Operation Take Back America—a Department of Justice initiative targeting illegal immigration-related crime networks—and also falls under initiatives established by Executive Order 14159 through participation with Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF). The HSTF involves cooperation between multiple federal agencies focused on eliminating cartels, gangs, transnational organizations, human smuggling operations within U.S borders.
For additional information or resources regarding drug prevention education for families or children see www.justthinktwice.gov.