Two Illegal Aliens and Marietta Man Face Federal Charges After Seizure of Nearly 500 Pounds of Methamphetamine

ATLANTA - Juan Rueda-Palacios and Lourdes Prudente Blanco, both illegal aliens from Mexico, and Alan Hernandez, of Marietta, Georgia, are facing federal drug charges related to the recent seizure of nearly 500 pounds of methamphetamine from a vehicle in Brookhaven, Georgia, and an apartment in Sandy Springs.

"These charges reflect the commitment of my office and our law enforcement partners to dismantle large-scale drug trafficking operations that endanger our community," said U.S. Attorney Theodore S. Hertzberg. "If you choose to traffic dangerous drugs in our community, we will investigate, arrest, and prosecute you."

"This investigation reflects our unwavering commitment to protecting communities from the deadly drugs and violence tied to drug trafficking organizations," said Jae W. Chung, Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Atlanta Field Division. "These defendants trafficked dangerous narcotics while unlawfully present in the United States, creating a serious threat to public safety. Working side by side with our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners, DEA will continue removing drugs, guns, and violent offenders from our streets."

"This amount of methamphetamine flooding our streets would have devastated countless lives and families," said Steven N. Schrank, special agent in charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Georgia and Alabama. "Meth is not just a drug-it brings violence, addiction, and fear into our neighborhoods. Our message is clear: if you try to poison our communities with dangerous drugs, we will find you and bring you to justice. HSI and our partners are committed to keeping our communities safe and standing up for the families who call Georgia home."

"Nearly 500 pounds of methamphetamine will never reach Georgia's communities because of the relentless work and collaboration of local, state, and federal law enforcement," said Chris Hosey, Director, Georgia Bureau of Investigation. "This investigation should serve as a warning to those who seek to traffic drugs in Georgia: we will relentlessly pursue those who bring these deadly substances into our communities and work tirelessly alongside our partners to ensure the safety of every Georgian."

According to U.S. Attorney Hertzberg, the charges, and other information presented in court: On April 2, 2026, Rueda-Palacios and Prudente allegedly drove a vehicle from Ellenwood, Georgia to a shopping center in Brookhaven and abandoned it with roughly 130 pounds of methamphetamine inside. Agents arrested Hernandez and retrieved the drugs after observing Hernandez enter and exit the vehicle later that day.

On July 15, 2026, agents arrested Rueda-Palacios and Prudente. A search of their Sandy Springs apartment the same day uncovered approximately 350 pounds of methamphetamine along with a Mexican passport belonging to Rueda-Palacios. Allegedly, neither Rueda-Palacios nor Prudente is lawfully present in the United States, and Rueda-Palacios returned illegally after having been deported in 2013.

Juan Rueda-Palacios, 47, and Lourdes Prudente Blanco, 48, both of Mexico, and Alan Hernandez, 34, of Marietta, Georgia, appeared in federal court yesterday on a criminal complaint charging them with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine. Rueda-Palacios was also charged with illegally reentering the United States.

Members of the public are reminded that the criminal complaint only contains charges. The defendants are presumed innocent of the charges, and it will be the government's burden to prove the defendants' guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.

This case is being investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, Homeland Security Investigations, and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. The Barrow County Sheriff's Office provided substantial assistance to the investigation.

Assistant United States Attorneys Amy Schwarzl and Sandy Strippoli are prosecuting the case.

The U.S. Attorney's Office in Atlanta recommends parents and children learn about the dangers of drugs at the following web site: https://www.justthinktwice.gov.

For further information please contact the U.S. Attorney's Public Affairs Office at [email protected] or (404) 581-6185. The Internet address for the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Georgia is http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga.