$22M In Meth Found Hidden Among Blackberries In GA Drug Bust

HALL COUNTY, GA — About $22.5 million worth of crystal methamphetamine was recently found in a refrigerated box truck carrying blackberries a day after 419 kilograms of the drug were seized in Atlanta, authorities said Monday.

- Investigators found 300 kilograms of the drug, weighing 661 pounds, was found hidden in a shipment of blackberries around 3 a.m. Friday in the truck located outside a McEver Road business, the Hall County Sheriff's Office said.

They added the narcotic, with an estimated value of $22.5 million, was brought into metro Atlanta from Mexico for distribution throughout North Georgia.

Authorities said they were alerted to the truck by K9s, and when they opened the back of it, they found the shipment.

The truck driver was not with the vehicle at the time, but he was later arrested at a Browns Ridge Road home, authorities said. They identified the driver as Gerardo Solorio-Alvarado, 44, a Mexican national who is living in Gainesville.

He was arrested on charges of methamphetamine trafficking and is being held without bond, authorities said.

“I know it’s disturbing to the public to realize such large amounts of illegal drugs are being
trafficked into our community, but I hope citizens take comfort in knowing the Hall County Sheriff’s
Office has investigators who are dedicated to curbing drug activity,” Hall County Sheriff Gerald
Couch said in a news release. “I’m proud of their work, and I’m also thankful for our partnership with state and federal agents. We remain committed to stopping illegal narcotics activity on all levels in our county.”

- This came a day after FBI Atlanta and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation seized about 410 kilograms of methamphetamine and three guns Thursday at a home in the 800 block of Custer Avenue Southeast in Atlanta, authorities said.

Additionally, three people were arrested in connection with the massive drug bust, authorities said.

They say they were alerted to the home after receiving a tip. They found the three guns during a search, along with about 419 kilograms of methamphetamine located in a refrigerated truck outside the home, authorities said.

They arrested Juan Hernandez, 40, and Nelsonen Sorto, 36, both of Atlanta, on charges of trafficking methamphetamine in connection the case, authorities said. The pair was booked into the Fulton County Jail, authorities said.

Once the investigation is complete, the case file will be given to the Atlanta Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s office for review.