GEORGIA — Three men have been arrested and accused of operating a methamphetamine conversion lab in the backyard of an Atlanta-area home, federal authorities said.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia, Sergio Cortes-Nieto, 53; Jose Angel Cortes Raquel, 39; and Christian Martinez Larumbe Dominguez, 31, are each charged with one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.
Drug Enforcement Administration agents executed a search warrant Feb. 20 at a home in the 1900 block of Mannville Drive. Although the property has an Atlanta mailing address, it is located within the city limits of Brookhaven.
Investigators said they discovered a meth conversion lab operating under a tent in the backyard. During the search, agents allegedly seized 100 pounds of liquid methamphetamine mixed with concrete and 50 liters of liquid meth solution.
Cortes Raquel and Larumbe Dominguez were taken into custody at the home. Authorities said Cortes-Nieto had been arrested earlier the same day at a nearby storage facility.
Federal officials said the lab was operating near residential homes.
“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.”
Prosecutors also said Cortes Raquel was previously accused in a separate 2024 case involving the seizure of 2,370 pounds of methamphetamine hidden in boxes of celery at the Atlanta State Farmers Market in Forest Park. He was arraigned on additional conspiracy and drug distribution charges related to that case when he appeared in federal court on the latest charges.
U.S. Attorney Theodore S. Hertzberg said authorities will continue efforts to prevent drug trafficking organizations from establishing operations in North Georgia.
The case remains under investigation.
