ATLANTA – In a stunning turn of events, two DeKalb County auto mechanics were arraigned on federal drug trafficking charges after agents seized over a ton of methamphetamine from their vehicles.
Daniel Santana-Lopez, 39, an illegal alien from Guanajuato, Mexico, and Jared Thompson, 41, of Snellville, Georgia, are both accused of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine, possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, and in Thompson’s case, possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking.
According to U.S. Attorney Theodore S. Hertzberg, the pair attempted to conceal their major methamphetamine trafficking operation within a local automobile repair shop. Santana-Lopez, who has been deported twice, had reportedly distributed methamphetamine on several occasions in 2024 before his arrest.
The DEA’s Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Atlanta Division, Jae W. Chung, emphasized the agency’s commitment to intercepting dangerous drugs and bringing traffickers to justice. The investigation uncovered a significant quantity of methamphetamine, with Santana-Lopez’s vehicle containing approximately 1,000 kilograms and Thompson’s containing roughly 140 kilograms.
Indicted by a federal grand jury in June 2025, both men face serious charges that carry substantial penalties if convicted. Assistant United States Attorney Dwayne A. Brown, Jr., is handling the prosecution of this case.
This operation is part of Operation Take Back America, an initiative that mobilizes Department of Justice resources to combat illegal immigration, eliminate cartels, and protect communities from violent crime. The public is encouraged to learn more about drug dangers at www.justthinktwice.gov.
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Key Facts
- State: Georgia
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Organized Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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