DeKalb Auto Mechanics Face Federal Charges After Massive Meth Seizure

ATLANTA, GA – Two DeKalb County auto mechanics are facing federal drug trafficking charges after law enforcement agents seized approximately 2,500 pounds of methamphetamine from their vehicles.

Daniel Santana-Lopez, 39, an illegal alien from Guanajuato, Mexico, was arraigned today on charges of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine, possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, and illegal reentry by a removed alien. Jared Thompson, 41, of Snellville, Georgia, was arraigned on June 30, 2025, on charges of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine, possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking crime.

“These defendants, including a twice-deported illegal alien, allegedly tried to conceal a major methamphetamine trafficking conspiracy in a local automobile repair shop,” said U.S. Attorney Theodore S. Hertzberg. “Through a tenacious investigation, our federal and local law enforcement partners rooted out the defendants’ operation in our continued effort to eliminate the scourge of drug dealing from our communities.”

Jae W. Chung, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Atlanta Division, added, “DEA’s mission remains the same: seize dangerous drugs before they reach our communities and bring to justice those criminals responsible. DEA will continue to aggressively pursue criminals that are harming our communities with dangerous drugs.”

According to U.S. Attorney Hertzberg, the charges, and other information presented in court, on October 23, 2024, law enforcement stopped Santana-Lopez after he drove away from a DeKalb County auto repair shop where he worked as a mechanic. During a search of Santana-Lopez’s vehicle, officers allegedly found approximately 1,000 kilograms (approximately 2,200 pounds) of methamphetamine. The investigation revealed that Santana-Lopez was illegally in the United States, having been deported in 2014 and 2017, and had allegedly distributed methamphetamine on several previous occasions in June, July, and August 2024.

Approximately an hour after arresting Santana-Lopez, law enforcement stopped Thompson leaving the same auto repair shop, where he also worked as a mechanic. Inside Thompson’s vehicle, officers allegedly found approximately 140 kilograms (approximately 300 pounds) of methamphetamine and a firearm.

Santana-Lopez and Thompson were indicted by a federal grand jury in the Northern District of Georgia on June 11, 2025.

This case is being investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, North Georgia High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Task Force, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, with valuable assistance provided by the DeKalb County Police Department and DeKalb County District Attorney’s Office. Assistant United States Attorney Dwayne A. Brown, Jr. is prosecuting the case.