Man Charged with Distributing Massive Fentanyl Stash

Federal agents found 37 pounds of the deadly opioid in suspect's Brookhaven apartment

Published on Feb. 23, 2026

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A 46-year-old man has been arrested and charged with possession with intent to distribute a staggering 37 pounds of fentanyl from his apartment in the Brookhaven neighborhood of Atlanta, Georgia. The suspect, Abelardo Avila Gomez, is a Mexican national who was previously deported from the U.S. in 2014 but allegedly re-entered the country in 2023.

Why it matters

Fentanyl is an extremely potent synthetic opioid that is driving the ongoing overdose crisis in the U.S., with just a few milligrams capable of causing a fatal overdose. The seizure of 37 pounds of the drug represents a major disruption to the local drug trade and could potentially save many lives in the Atlanta area.

The details

Federal agents with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) executed a search warrant at Gomez's Brookhaven apartment and discovered the massive 37-pound stash of fentanyl. Gomez has been charged with possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, as well as illegal re-entry to the U.S. after being previously deported.

  • On February 23, 2026, Abelardo Avila Gomez was arrested by federal agents.
  • In 2014, Gomez was previously deported from the U.S.
  • In March 2023, Gomez allegedly re-entered the U.S. illegally.

The players

Abelardo Avila Gomez

A 46-year-old Mexican national who was arrested and charged with possession with intent to distribute 37 pounds of fentanyl from his Brookhaven, Georgia apartment.

Jae W. Chung

The special agent in charge of the DEA's Atlanta Field Division, who stated that the seized fentanyl had the potential to cause 'catastrophic harm'.

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What they’re saying

“Our agents have removed an extraordinary amount of deadly poison from the streets. Fentanyl is measured in milligrams, not grams, and this quantity had the potential to cause catastrophic harm.”

— Jae W. Chung, Special Agent in Charge, DEA Atlanta Field Division (Atlanta News First)

What’s next

Gomez will face federal charges for possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and illegal re-entry, with a court date to be determined.

The takeaway

This massive fentanyl seizure highlights the ongoing battle against the opioid crisis, with even small amounts of the synthetic drug capable of causing deadly overdoses. The arrest of this alleged drug trafficker could significantly disrupt the local drug trade and potentially save many lives in the Atlanta area.