3 men indicted for possession of methamphetamine found in active conversion laboratory

Daniel Landa-Duerta, Mauricio Dominguez-Vazquez, and Jorge Armando Avalos-Menera have been arraigned on federal charges related to methamphetamine seized from a conversion laboratory in Dallas, Georgia.

“The cocktail of deadly chemicals used to manufacture methamphetamine are a recipe for disaster,” said Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Atlanta Division Robert J. Murphy. “These substances are not only volatile and toxic, but they also destroy families, communities and lives. Because of the collective effort between our local, state and federal law enforcement counterparts and the U.S. Attorney’s Office, these defendants were brought to justice and will no longer be able to distribute these dangerous chemicals.”

“Methamphetamine is poison and continues to be a scourge in our district,” said U.S. Attorney Byung J. “BJay” Pak. “Thanks to our vigilant law enforcement partners, this large quantity of drugs was discovered and seized before it could make its way into our community.”

“This case began with information provided to law enforcement by concerned citizens in Paulding County. Agents acted immediately to prohibit citizens being exposed. A search warrant led to the dismantling of an extremely large clandestine methamphetamine conversion lab and the seizure of an unprecedented amount of methamphetamine in Paulding County. The Haralson Paulding Drug Task Force, the Paulding County Sheriff’s Office and the Drug Enforcement Administration are working together to ensure a safe and positive outcome for all.”

According to U.S. Attorney Pak, the charges, and other information presented in court, on June 26, 2019, law enforcement uncovered an active methamphetamine conversion laboratory in Dallas, Georgia, allegedly used to convert liquid methamphetamine into crystal methamphetamine for distribution. Large quantities of crystal and liquid methamphetamine were seized in the laboratory, and additional methamphetamine was seized in a traffic stop of a vehicle leaving the laboratory. In total, law enforcement seized more than 80 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine and approximately 75 gallons of liquid methamphetamine during the course of this investigation.

On July 24, 2019, a federal grand jury returned an indictment against Daniel Landa-Duerta, 20, of Múgica, Mexico, Mauricio Dominguez-Vazquez, 53, of Tallahassee, Florida, and Jorge Armando Avalos-Menera, 32, of Tulsa, Oklahoma, charging each of them with one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and one count of possessing with intent to distribute at least 500 grams of methamphetamine.

Members of the public are reminded that the indictment only contains charges. The defendant is presumed innocent of the charges and it will be the government’s burden to prove the defendant’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.

This case is being investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, with assistance by the Paulding County Drug Task Force.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Teresa M. Stolze is prosecuting the case.

This is a press release from the DEA.