Federal authorities recently charged three Mexican citizens with running an illegal methamphetamine conversion facility in the backyard of a home in Brookhaven. According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia, law enforcement seized over 100 pounds of drugs from the operation.
The three suspects—Sergio Cortes-Nieto, Christian Martinez Larumbe Dominguez, and Jose Angel Cortes Raquel—appeared in federal court on February 25, following a raid by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) on February 20. Authorities said Cortes Raquel and Larumbe Dominguez were caught operating the lab under a tent set up in the backyard; Cortes Raquel attempted to flee but was apprehended at the scene.
During the raid, agents seized approximately 100 pounds of liquid meth mixed and hidden in concrete, along with 50 liters of other meth solution. Sergio Cortes-Nieto, who is accused of participating in the drug conversion process, was arrested earlier that day at a nearby storage facility. Investigators also confirmed that all three suspects entered the United States illegally.
Connection to Previous Major Drug Seizure
Notably, Jose Angel Cortes Raquel also faces a separate indictment for conspiracy and possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute. This case relates to a massive raid on August 8, 2024, at the Atlanta State Farmers Market in Forest Park, where the DEA seized 2,370 pounds of meth hidden in crates of celery.
Jae W. Chung, the Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Atlanta Field Division, emphasized that the drug manufacturing facility operated near residential areas with families and children, posing a significant danger to the community. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Amy Schwarzl and Michael Herskowitz. Authorities have not released specific information on how they discovered the illegal operation and stated the investigation is ongoing.
