Federal Agents Seize 37 Pounds of Fentanyl in Brookhaven, Suspect Had Been Previously Deported

ATLANTA, Ga. A man previously deported from the United States appeared in federal court after authorities seized approximately 37 pounds of fentanyl from a Brookhaven apartment, federal prosecutors announced.

Abelardo Avila Gomez, 46, a citizen of Mexico, faces federal charges of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and illegal re-entry by a previously removed alien following his arrest during a Drug Enforcement Administration investigation.

According to a criminal complaint, DEA Atlanta agents executed a federal search warrant Feb. 19 at an apartment in Brookhaven, where investigators located 15 rectangular packages containing fentanyl weighing about 37 pounds. Agents arrested Avila Gomez in the apartment parking lot, where authorities say he confirmed living at the residence and admitted to involvement in fentanyl distribution.

Federal officials allege Avila Gomez illegally reentered the United States in March 2023 after previously being deported to Mexico in November 2014.

“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.”

DEA Atlanta Field Division Special Agent in Charge Jae W. Chung emphasized the scale of the seizure, stating, “Fentanyl is measured in milligrams, not grams and this quantity had the potential to cause catastrophic harm.”

Authorities said the case was investigated by the DEA with assistance from multiple local and state agencies, including the Atlanta Police Department, Georgia Bureau of Investigation, DeKalb County Police Department, and several regional sheriff’s offices and police departments.

Officials noted that the criminal complaint contains allegations only and that Avila Gomez is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court. Assistant U.S. Attorney James Hwang is prosecuting the case.