Federal authorities in Georgia have announced arrests and charges in connection with the alleged operation of a suburban methamphetamine laboratory, leading to the seizure of multiple firearms and a substantial quantity of the illicit drug.
Two individuals, identified as Juan Perez-Maldonado and Francisco Garcia Gomez, both Mexican nationals, appeared in federal court on June 4, 2025, facing charges of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.
Francisco Garcia Gomez, along with a third Mexican national, Filemon Hernandez-Jijon – who remains at large – also faces charges of possessing a firearm while unlawfully present in the United States.
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“Our law enforcement partners worked swiftly to disrupt a suburban drug lab, seize numerous firearms, and arrest two illegal aliens allegedly responsible for manufacturing and distributing methamphetamine,” stated U.S. Attorney Hertzberg. “Criminals who traffic illegal drugs in our communities will be identified, found, and prosecuted with deliberate speed.”
“DEA remains focused on keeping America safe and protecting the homeland by removing dangerous drugs from our communities and bringing criminals to justice,” Jae W. Chung, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Atlanta Division, said. “Keeping our communities safe is our highest priority.”
According to information presented in court by U.S. Attorney Hertzberg, the investigation began on June 3, 2025, when DEA agents allegedly observed Filemon Hernandez-Jijon supplying two kilograms of methamphetamine to a customer in the Smyrna, Georgia area. Hernandez-Jijon was then reportedly tracked to and from a mobile home in Marietta, Georgia.
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Hours later, DEA agents executed a federal search warrant at the Marietta mobile home, encountering Juan Perez-Maldonado and Francisco Garcia Gomez. A third individual reportedly fled the scene. Inside the residence, agents allegedly discovered an active laboratory used to convert liquid methamphetamine into its crystal form, along with an estimated 13 kilograms of what appeared to be the finished drug product. Authorities also located two handguns, one reportedly hidden in a toilet tank, and money remitter receipts bearing the names of Garcia Gomez and Hernandez-Jijon. Outside the mobile home, agents recovered acetone, empty coolers, and other materials commonly associated with crystallized methamphetamine production.
The investigation extended to an apartment in Smyrna, where another federal search warrant was executed. Inside a baby’s crib, agents reportedly found a bag containing a loaded Glock pistol, two additional loaded firearm magazines, and identification belonging to Perez-Maldonado. Elsewhere in the apartment, a Springfield XD firearm and a mechanical press, often used to compact powder into kilogram bricks, were allegedly discovered.
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Further investigation revealed that both Perez-Maldonado and Hernandez-Jijon had been previously deported from the United States. Filemon Hernandez-Jijon is currently a fugitive, and authorities urge anyone with information on his whereabouts to contact their local law enforcement agency.
It is important to note that the complaint against the defendants contains only charges, and they are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.
This ongoing case is being investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, with crucial assistance from the Marietta-Cobb-Smyrna Narcotics Unit and the DeKalb County Police Department – HIDTA Task Force. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Amy Schwarzl and Assistant U.S. Attorney Rebeca M. Ojeda are prosecuting the case.
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