Alberto Ortiz-Osornio and Marco Antonio Solano-Posadas have been charged with federal drug trafficking offenses after law enforcement seized about 85 kilograms of methamphetamine in Norcross, Georgia, according to an April 9 announcement by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia.
The case highlights ongoing efforts by federal authorities to combat drug distribution and related criminal activity in the region. The charges follow a coordinated investigation involving multiple agencies.
“The defendants allegedly sought to traffic nearly 200 pounds of deadly methamphetamine before a coordinated law enforcement effort caught them in the act,” said U.S. Attorney Theodore S. Hertzberg. “My office and our law enforcement partners will use every tool at our disposal to prevent foreign drug cartels from poisoning Georgians and to hold drug dealers accountable for their crimes.”
Jae W. Chung, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration Atlanta Field Division, said: “These arrests represent a significant step in dismantling a drug trafficking operation responsible for distributing dangerous amounts of methamphetamine into our communities. We will continue to pursue individuals involved in the distribution of methamphetamine with relentless focus. Those who engage in this criminal activity should understand that law enforcement is committed to bringing them to justice.”
According to information presented by Hertzberg, on April 3 DEA agents observed Ortiz placing two large bins into his car outside his residence before meeting Solano and transferring those bins into Solano’s vehicle. Gwinnett County Sheriff’s deputies stopped Solano's car shortly afterward and found approximately 30 kilograms of methamphetamine inside the bins. A subsequent search at Ortiz's residence led agents to four more bins containing an additional 55 kilograms of methamphetamine.
Ortiz is identified as a citizen of Mexico illegally present in the United States. Both men were named that day in a criminal complaint charging them with conspiracy and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. A federal magistrate judge has ordered Ortiz held without bail; Solano remains detained by local authorities but is expected to appear soon before a federal court.
The public is reminded that these are only charges; both defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt at trial.
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration with support from Gwinnett County Sheriff’s Office, and prosecution is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney James Hwang.
Theodore S. Hertzberg holds the position of United States Attorney for the Northern District of Georgia according to the official website. The office serves as principal federal law enforcement agency across north Georgia mountains, Atlanta suburbs, and bordering regions according to its official website. It prioritizes prosecuting threats such as terrorism, human trafficking, civil rights violations while coordinating cases nationally or internationally according to its official website.
This prosecution falls under Operation Take Back America—a Department of Justice initiative aimed at countering illegal immigration and dismantling transnational criminal organizations.
