Following an investigation that began earlier this fall, narcotics investigators with the Hall County
Sheriff’s Office (HCSO), with assistance from the FBI, last week seized 300 kilos (661 lbs.) of crystal methamphetamine outside of a business on McEver Road. The street value of the meth was estimated at $22.5 million.
“On Friday, Nov. 21, 2025, just before 3 a.m., HCSO investigators and federal agents, acting on
information obtained during the course of the investigation, located a refrigerated box truck parked
outside of a business in the 1400 block of McEver Road<” HCSO spokeswoman B.J. Williams said Monday. “The truck was believed to contain illegal narcotics from Mexico that had been transported to metro Atlanta for distribution throughout North Georgia.” “
Williams said sheriff’s office K9 Unit responded to the location, and the K9 made a positive alert on the
vehicle. “After obtaining a search warrant, investigators opened the back of the vehicle and located
the packages of meth hidden in a shipment of blackberries.”
While the driver of the truck was not with the vehicle at the time of the drug seizure, he was
arrested later in the day at his residence off Browns Bridge Road. Gerardo Solorio-Alvarado, 44, is being held without bond on a felony charge of methamphetamine trafficking.
“I know it’s disturbing to the public to realize such large amounts of illegal drugs are being
trafficked into our community, but I hope citizens take comfort in knowing the Hall County Sheriff’s
Office has investigators who are dedicated to curbing drug activity,” said Hall County Sheriff Gerald
Couch. “I’m proud of their work, and I’m also thankful for our partnership with state and federal
agents. We remain committed to stopping illegal narcotics activity on all levels in our county.”
Williams said the investigation in the case is ongoing and is connected to a GBI case in Fulton County on the same day.
GBI NEWS RELEASE:
“The GBI has arrested and charged Juan Hernandez, age 40, of Atlanta, GA, and Nelsonen Sorto, age 36, of Atlanta, GA, with Trafficking Methamphetamine following a joint drug investigation by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation’s West Metro Regional Drug Enforcement Office and Appalachian Regional Drug Enforcement Office. Several other agencies assisted that include the Hall County Sheriff’s Office, the Atlanta Police Department, and the FBI.
On November 20, 2025, the West Metro Regional Drug Enforcement Office and the Appalachian Regional Drug Enforcement Office received intelligence regarding a potential large quantity of illicit narcotics located in a house in the 800 block of Custer Ave SE Atlanta, GA. Utilizing surveillance and intelligence, Special Agents were able to secure a search warrant for the house.
Approximately 419 kilograms of methamphetamine and 3 firearms were seized. The narcotics were found in a refrigerated truck outside the home.”