ATLANTA — This is an official press release from the U.S. Department of Justice (Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF)), published as received.

ATLANTA – Two DeKalb County auto mechanics face federal drug trafficking charges after agents seized approximately 2,500 pounds of methamphetamine from their vehicles. Daniel Santana-Lopez, 39, an illegal alien from Guanajuato, Mexico, was arraigned earlier 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.”

“DEA’s mission remains the same: seize dangerous drugs before they reach our communities and bring to justice those criminals responsible,” said Jae W. Chung, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Atlanta Division. “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 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 of Thompson’s vehicle, officers allegedly found approximately 140 kilograms of methamphetamine and a firearm.

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

Members of the public are reminded that the indictment only contains charges. The defendants are presumed innocent of the charges, and it will be the government’s burden to prove the defendants’ guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.

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.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).

The U.S. Attorney’s Office in Atlanta recommends parents and children learn about the dangers of drugs at the following web site: www.justthinktwice.gov.

For further information please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office at USAGAN.PressEmails@usdoj.gov or (404) 581-6185. The Internet address for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia is http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga.