Two mechanics in DeKalb County in Georgia are facing federal drug trafficking charges after authorities seized more than 2,500 pounds of methamphetamine from vehicles linked to their workplace, a local auto repair shop.
Jared Thompson, 41, of Snellville, GA, and Daniel Santana-Lopez, 39, an undocumented immigrant from Guanajuato, Mexico, were indicted by a federal grand jury on June 11 in the Northern District of Georgia. According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, both men have been arraigned and face charges including conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. Thompson also faces an additional charge of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, while Santana-Lopez is also charged with illegal reentry after deportation.
On Oct. 23, 2024, federal agents conducted surveillance on the auto shop before stopping Santana-Lopez as he left the premises. A search of his vehicle allegedly revealed approximately 1,000 kilograms (roughly 2,200 pounds) of methamphetamine. Investigators also determined that Santana-Lopez had been deported in 2014 and 2017 and had allegedly distributed meth multiple times during the summer of 2024.
Roughly one hour later, law enforcement stopped Thompson as he left the same shop. Officers allegedly found another 140 kilograms (about 300 pounds) of methamphetamine and a firearm in his vehicle.
“These defendants, including a twice-deported illegal alien, allegedly tried to conceal a major methamphetamine trafficking conspiracy in a local automobile repair shop,” said U.S. Attorney Theodore Hertzberg. “Through a tenacious investigation, our federal and local law enforcement partners rooted out the defendants’ operation in our continued effort to eliminate the scourge of drug dealing from our communities.”
“DEA will continue to aggressively pursue criminals that are harming our communities with dangerous drugs,” said Jae Chung, acting special agent in charge of the DEA Atlanta Division.
The investigation was carried out as part of Operation Take Back America, a Department of Justice initiative aimed at combating illegal immigration, transnational criminal organizations and violent crime. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Dwayne Brown Jr.
Federal agencies involved in the investigation include the DEA, the North Georgia HIDTA Task Force, ATF, Homeland Security Investigations, and local law enforcement from DeKalb County.
For more information or resources on drug prevention, the U.S. Attorney’s Office recommends visiting www.justthinktwice.gov.
