A man previously deported from the U.S. is now accused of possessing and distributing approximately 37 pounds of fentanyl from his Brookhaven apartment, according to federal prosecutors.
According to officials, agents from the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) searched Abelardo Avila Gomez's apartment on February 16 and found 15 bricks of fentanyl, totaling approximately 37 pounds (17.9 kg).
Avila Gomez was arrested in the apartment complex's parking lot.
Deportation History and New Accusations
Authorities stated that the 46-year-old man, a native of Acapulco, Mexico, was previously deported in November 2014.
Prosecutors said the suspect admitted to illegally re-entering the U.S. in March 2023 and becoming involved in fentanyl distribution.
He currently faces charges of:
- Possession of fentanyl with intent to distribute
- Illegal re-entry after deportation
Statement from the DEA
Jae W. Chung, Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Atlanta Division, stated:
"With the seizure of 17.9 kilograms of fentanyl, agents have removed an extremely large amount of deadly poison from the streets. Fentanyl is measured in milligrams, not grams, and this quantity has the potential for catastrophic consequences."
Undisclosed Details
Officials have not yet disclosed how they discovered the fentanyl stored in the Brookhaven apartment.
The case is currently under federal investigation and prosecution.
