Three Mexican nationals, identified as Sergio Cortes-Nieto, Christian Martinez Larumbe Dominguez, and Jose Angel Cortes Raquel, have appeared in federal court facing charges related to the alleged operation of a methamphetamine laboratory in Brookhaven, near Atlanta. In addition to these charges, Cortes Raquel was arraigned on a separate indictment involving an incident from 2024 where he is accused of trafficking over 2,000 pounds of methamphetamine hidden in celery.
“These illegal aliens, including a fugitive from justice charged with trafficking more than a ton of methamphetamine that agents removed from the streets in a record-breaking seizure, were allegedly audaciously operating a drug lab in the backyard of a suburban home,” said U.S. Attorney Theodore S. Hertzberg. “To ensure that the cartels never secure a foothold in North Georgia, even as they try to imbed themselves in our neighborhoods, we will continue to aggressively prosecute the criminals responsible for manufacturing and distributing this poison.”
“This lab was operating in a backyard, in close proximity to families and children,” said Jae W. Chung, Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Atlanta Field Division. “That level of disregard for human life is unacceptable. Our priority remains protecting the public from the devastating impact of illegal drug manufacturing.”
According to information presented by prosecutors and law enforcement officials during court proceedings: On February 20, 2026, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) agents executed a search warrant at a residence in Brookhaven. Agents discovered Cortes Raquel and Larumbe Dominguez allegedly running a methamphetamine conversion laboratory under a tent behind the house. When confronted by law enforcement officers, Cortes Raquel attempted to flee but was apprehended shortly after. Authorities seized about 100 pounds of liquid methamphetamine mixed into concrete and another 50 liters of liquid methamphetamine solution at the scene. Cortes-Nieto was arrested earlier that day at a nearby storage facility where he was also suspected of converting methamphetamine.
The investigation determined that all three men are citizens of Mexico who are illegally present in the United States.
Cortes-Nieto (53), Larumbe Dominguez (31), and Cortes Raquel (39) appeared before a U.S. magistrate judge on criminal complaints charging them with possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. Additionally, Cortes Raquel faces charges related to conspiracy and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine connected to an August 8, 2024 DEA seizure at Atlanta State Farmers Market where authorities confiscated approximately 2,370 pounds of meth concealed among boxes of celery; he is accused of coordinating that delivery.
Officials remind members of the public that these are only allegations; all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt at trial.
The Drug Enforcement Administration is leading this investigation.
Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Amy Schwarzl and Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Herskowitz are prosecuting these cases.
These prosecutions fall under Operation Take Back America—a nationwide initiative by the Department of Justice aimed at combating illegal immigration and dismantling cartels and transnational criminal organizations while protecting communities from violent crime perpetrators.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia serves as principal federal law enforcement agency for north Georgia—including metro Atlanta—and prioritizes prosecution against threats such as terrorism and organized crime while collaborating closely with law enforcement partners locally and nationally across its region serving about 7.5 million residents.[1][2][3][4][5][6]
Parents and children can learn more about drug dangers at www.justthinktwice.gov.
