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Climate ‘Doomsday’ Study Falls Apart as Nature Issues Full Retraction
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Climate ‘Doomsday’ Study Falls Apart as Nature Issues Full Retraction

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The scientific journal Nature has retracted a 2024 climate study after researchers and outside economists identified significant data flaws that affected the report’s findings on long-term economic damage from climate change.

The decision was announced Wednesday and follows months of discussion among experts who questioned the study’s projections.

The original study, published in April 2024, concluded that climate change would cause substantially more economic harm by the end of the century than earlier estimates suggested.

Its findings were widely cited, covered extensively in global media, and incorporated into risk-management modeling used by central banks.

The study projected a potential 62 percent decline in global economic output by the year 2100 if carbon emissions continued without major reductions.

Economists reviewing the study later found irregularities in the dataset for Uzbekistan.

That data point, they said, substantially altered the overall results.

When Uzbekistan was removed from the dataset, the economists determined that the long-term economic damage estimates aligned much more closely with previous research.

Under those revised conditions, global output would decline by an estimated 23 percent by 2100, not the 62 percent predicted in the original publication.

On Wednesday, Nature issued a statement acknowledging the error and formally retracting the study.

“The authors acknowledge that these changes are too substantial for a correction, leading to the retraction of the paper,” the journal stated.

The authors are currently revising their work using corrected data and intend to submit an updated manuscript for peer review.

The retraction has renewed discussion among researchers over the reliability of long-range climate-economic modeling.

Lint Barrage, chair of energy and climate economics at The Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich (ETH Zurich), noted that the study’s flaws raise broader concerns about expectations within the climate research community.

“It can feel sometimes, depending on the audience, that there’s an expectation of finding large [climate damage] estimates,” she said.

“If your goal is to try to make the case for climate change, you have crossed the line from scientist to activist, and why would the public trust you?”

The debate over climate-damage projections has also gained attention in policy circles.

Prior to the COP30 climate summit, Bill Gates remarked in October that public communication around climate risks should move away from “doomsday” framing, saying the facts do not always align with the most extreme predictions.

The authors of the retracted paper said they intend to resubmit a revised analysis once the corrected data is incorporated and reviewed.

Leaked Call Shows European Leaders Panic, Undermining Peace Deal in Ukraine
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Leaked Call Shows European Leaders Panic, Undermining Peace Deal in Ukraine

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A leaked transcript of a phone call among several European leaders has raised questions about whether the United States may support a peace framework that Ukraine views as unfavorable.

The call, published Thursday by the German magazine Der Spiegel, included remarks suggesting apprehension that Washington could proceed with territorial concessions to Russia without providing security assurances to Kyiv.

According to the transcript, French President Emmanuel Macron reportedly said, “There is a possibility that the United States will abandon Ukraine on territorial questions without providing clarity on security guarantees.”

He also described “a great danger” for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

Macron’s office later said, “The president did not use those words,” but did not dispute the substance of the conversation.

European leaders on the line included German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, Finnish President Alexander Stubb, and Zelensky.

The group was recorded discussing concerns that Ukraine could be left at a disadvantage in potential negotiations.

Merz appeared to share Macron’s view, stating that Zelensky should be “extremely careful in the coming days” and adding, “They are playing games with you and with us.”

Stubb followed by saying, “We must not leave Ukraine and Volodymyr alone with these people,” prompting agreement from Rutte, who said, “I agree with Alexander. We must protect Volodymyr.”

Politico reported that Stubb’s reference to “these people” appeared directed at Trump envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, who recently traveled to Moscow to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The two have been involved in promoting the Trump administration’s peace proposal, described in media accounts as a 28-point plan, with some reports indicating a revised version containing 19 points.

NATO declined to comment when asked by Politico about the statements attributed to Rutte in the leaked transcript.

Der Spiegel noted in its report that the remarks reflected “the Europeans’ deep distrust of the two Trump confidants.”

Michael Weiss, one of the publication’s co-authors, characterized the discussions as focused on countering “American dirty tricks to the end war.”

The leaders also discussed the issue of frozen Russian assets held in European banks.

According to Der Spiegel, they agreed that decisions regarding those funds should remain under European authority amid reports that the United States may consider returning the assets to Moscow as part of a broader settlement.

Zelensky’s office did not confirm or deny the accuracy of the leaked transcript.

An unnamed Ukrainian diplomat told Politico, “In general, only the Russians benefit from any splits between Europe and America, so our consistent position is that transatlantic unity must be maintained.”

Ukraine has repeatedly opposed any peace arrangement that would involve territorial concessions without direct Ukrainian approval.

Zelensky has resisted proposals that would formalize Russian control over occupied regions. Moscow has insisted that any agreement recognize Russian sovereignty over the Donbass and Crimea, not merely acknowledge existing control on the ground.

European governments have similarly rejected the idea of territorial concessions as part of a negotiated settlement.

Reports of discussions involving U.S. officials and the Ukrainian leadership continue as the Trump administration signals interest in advancing a peace framework that would require engagement from both Kyiv and Moscow.

The leaked call underscored divisions between European leaders and Washington over the direction of ongoing diplomatic efforts.

Further discussions among NATO members and senior officials are expected as the situation develops and negotiations continue.

Minnesota Race Shifts as Mike Lindell Explores Campaign to Unseat Tim Walz
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Minnesota Race Shifts as Mike Lindell Explores Campaign to Unseat Tim Walz

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MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell has taken a formal step toward a possible run for governor of Minnesota, filing paperwork to explore a 2026 challenge against Gov. Tim Walz, as reported by The Gateway Pundit.

The Minnesota Star Tribune reported Wednesday that Lindell registered the Mike Lindell for Governor committee with the Minnesota Campaign Finance Board, beginning the initial phase of what could become a statewide campaign.

Chicago, Illinois USA – 08-21-2024: Democratic National Convention Chicago, United Center DNC 2024 – Day 3

The filing does not guarantee that Lindell will enter the race. Speaking to the Star Tribune, Lindell said he plans to make a final decision soon.

“I am going to announce either way on Dec. 11,” he said, noting that he “isn’t 100 percent yet.”

If he moves forward, Lindell would enter an already crowded Republican field. Candidates currently in the race include Minnesota House Speaker Lisa Demuth, 2022 GOP nominee Scott Jensen, State Rep. Kristin Robbins, businessman Kendall Qualls, and attorney Chris Madel.

Several of those candidates had been seeking the endorsement of President Donald Trump, but the dynamics could shift if Lindell joins the contest. Lindell has been a longtime ally of President Trump, and the relationship has been publicly visible over the years.

Lindell told the Star Tribune that internal polling suggests he would be strong in hypothetical matchups. “If there was someone to win, it would be me,” he said.

My Pillow founder Mike Lindell fires up Donald Trump supporters during a campaign rally on Wednesday, May 1, 2024 at the Waukesha County Expo Center in Waukesha, Wis.

Gov. Walz has already indicated he intends to run for re-election in 2026, seeking a third four-year term. Minnesota Public Radio reported that if successful, he would become the first governor in the state’s history to win three consecutive four-year terms.

Former Gov. Orville Freeman won three consecutive two-year terms in the 1950s, before Minnesota shifted to its current system.

Walz’s bid comes after his role as Kamala Harris’ running mate during the 2024 election cycle. The ticket lost the general election, and analysts have noted that his vice-presidential run could become an issue in the upcoming statewide race.

Another challenge for Walz has been ongoing criticism tied to the large Somali fraud scandal uncovered during his tenure. State oversight surrounding the incident has remained a point of contention, and Walz has faced sustained scrutiny over the matter.

Lindell’s potential entry would likely reshape the GOP primary landscape, bringing a well-known national figure into an already competitive field. He said he will make his intentions clear on December 11.

Third Biden Afghan Evacuee Arrested in One Week on Allegations of Supporting ISIS-K
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Third Biden Afghan Evacuee Arrested in One Week on Allegations of Supporting ISIS-K

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Federal law enforcement officials arrested an Afghan evacuee in Virginia on Wednesday on allegations that he provided support to ISIS-K, marking the third arrest of an Afghan national brought into the United States through a Biden-era evacuation program within the span of a week.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents detained Jaan Shah Safi in Waynesboro, Va., on suspicion of offering support to the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria-Khorasan (ISIS-K), according to the Department of Homeland Security.

Safi entered the country on September 8, 2021, through Operation Allies Welcome, the mass-parole program created following the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan.

“Today, our heroic ICE officers arrested Jaan Shah Safi, a terrorist who provided material support to ISIS-K,” Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said in a public statement.

“The Biden administration brought this terrorist into the U.S. under the disastrous Operation Allies Welcome program.”

Noem also linked Safi’s presence in the U.S. to last week’s fatal shooting of two National Guard service members in Washington, D.C.

“This terrorist was arrested miles from our nation’s capital where our brave National Guard heroes, Sarah Beckstrom and Andrew Wolfe, were shot just days ago by another unvetted Afghan terrorist brought into our country,” she said.

According to DHS, Safi had applied for Temporary Protected Status (TPS), which would have shielded him from deportation, but his application was terminated earlier this year after Noem discontinued TPS for Afghan nationals.

Federal officials also allege that Safi provided weapons to his father, who is described as a commander of an Afghan militia group.

Safi’s arrest follows two other terrorism-related cases involving Afghan nationals admitted under Operation Allies Welcome.

On November 26, Rahmanullah Lakanwal allegedly shot two National Guard members in Washington, D.C., killing West Virginia Army National Guard Specialist Sarah Beckstrom and critically injuring Air Force Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe.

One day before the shooting, Mohammad Dawood Alokozay was arrested in Fort Worth, Texas, for allegedly making bomb threats.

Both men were also paroled into the United States through the same evacuation program.

Federal officials say the Biden-Harris administration admitted nearly 190,000 Afghan nationals into the U.S. during the 2021 withdrawal.

Many of those individuals, the Trump administration has noted, had not been fully vetted before being transported to American soil.

“The Biden administration created one of the worst national security crises in American history,” Noem said Wednesday.

“Biden let into our country nearly 190,000 unvetted Afghan aliens — only determining who they were and their intentions when they were already on American soil.”

Noem said President Trump has directed DHS and other agencies to take steps to address vulnerabilities created by the earlier evacuation process.

“President Trump has been working every day since January 20 to clean up this unmitigated national security crisis,” she said.

Following the National Guard shooting, the administration implemented new restrictions that significantly narrowed asylum eligibility for foreign nationals and halted immigration processing for individuals from 19 countries designated as high-risk.

President Trump also signaled support in late November for ending immigration from Third World countries, citing national security concerns.

RFK Jr Launches Probe Into School Accused Of Vaccinating Child Without Parental Consent
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RFK Jr Launches Probe Into School Accused Of Vaccinating Child Without Parental Consent

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Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said Wednesday that the department has launched an investigation into what he described as a “troubling incident” involving a Midwestern school that allegedly vaccinated a child without parental consent, as reported by Fox News.

Kennedy made the announcement in a video statement released on X, saying the department is taking steps to enforce federal requirements that protect parental authority in medical decisions involving their children.

Jan 29, 2025; Washington, DC, USA; Robert F. Kennedy Jr. testifies before the Senate Finance Committee during a confirmation hearing on his nomination to be Secretary of Health and Human Services on Jan. 29, 2025 in Washington.. Mandatory Credit: Jack Gruber-USA TODAY via Imagn Images

Kennedy said the incident involved a school administering a federally funded vaccine despite a legally recognized state exemption.

“A school administered a federally funded vaccine to a child without the parent’s consent and despite a legally recognized state exemption,” he said.

“When any institution — a school, a doctor’s office, a clinic — disregards a religious exemption, it doesn’t just break trust, it also breaks the law.” He added:

“We’re not going to tolerate it.”

Kennedy did not identify the name of the school, the state where the incident occurred, or the type of vaccine involved. He said the Trump administration intends to ensure that health care providers and institutions comply with federal protections relating to parental rights.

“We will use every tool we have to protect families and restore accountability,” he said.

According to Kennedy, HHS is beginning compliance reviews of major health care providers and systems to determine whether they are giving parents timely access to their children’s health information.

He said that providers will receive a letter reminding them of “their clear legal duty” to share medical records with parents, adding that the department expects “no delays, no secrets, no excuses.”

A separate letter from the Health Resources and Services Administration was issued to HRSA grant recipients.

Kennedy said that the letter reiterates that federal funding requires adherence to laws safeguarding parental rights, and that program participants must comply with those standards.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. testifies on Jan. 29, 2025, at his Senate hearing on his nomination to be the secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services.

HHS is also examining how states and school districts handle medical and religious exemptions as part of its oversight of the federally funded Vaccines for Children program.

Kennedy said the review aims to ensure that program operations are consistent with federal and state law.

Kennedy encouraged parents to file complaints with the HHS Office for Civil Rights if they believe their rights have been violated or if they believe their child received medical treatment without proper consent.

Virginia Twin Brothers Arrested in Alleged Plot to Delete U.S. Government Databases
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Virginia Twin Brothers Arrested in Alleged Plot to Delete U.S. Government Databases

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Two Virginia men previously convicted in a federal conspiracy case were arrested again after authorities said they attempted to delete government databases hosted by a federal contractor, as reported by Fox News.

The Justice Department announced Wednesday that twin brothers Muneeb and Sohaib Akhter, both 34, were indicted last month on charges related to allegedly accessing and destroying systems used to store U.S. government information.

According to the DOJ, the arrests follow earlier reporting from Bloomberg News in May that outlined how the brothers allegedly compromised data across several federal agencies, including the Internal Revenue Service and the General Services Administration.

The DOJ noted that this incident marks a continuation of misconduct dating back years. In 2015, both men pleaded guilty to federal conspiracy charges linked to breaches at the State Department and a cosmetics company, and each served several years in prison.

After completing their prison sentences, the brothers became engineers for Opexus, a federal contractor that provides services for processing government records.

The DOJ said that after their employment with the contractor ended, the pair attempted to retaliate by accessing computers without authorization.

Prosecutors said they issued commands designed to prevent others from modifying databases, deleted data, stole information, and attempted to conceal their actions.

The indictment states that in February, Muneeb Akhter deleted nearly 100 databases containing U.S. government information.

Some of the deleted records included Freedom of Information Act files managed by federal agencies and sensitive investigative materials belonging to federal government components.

Prosecutors said that roughly one minute after deleting a Department of Homeland Security database, Muneeb Akhter allegedly used an artificial intelligence tool to ask how to clear system logs following the deletion of databases.

Investigators also said the brothers discussed clearing out their home ahead of a possible police search. Company laptops assigned to them were wiped before being returned to the contractor.

The DOJ further alleges that after his termination, Muneeb Akhter accessed U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission information without authorization.

He is also accused of stealing IRS data stored on a virtual machine, including federal tax details and other identifying information for at least 450 individuals.

The indictment additionally accuses Sohaib Akhter of trafficking a password that could be used to access a U.S. government computer.

“These defendants abused their positions as federal contractors to attack government databases and steal sensitive government information. Their actions jeopardized the security of government systems and disrupted agencies’ ability to serve the American people,” Acting Assistant Attorney General Matthew R. Galeotti of the DOJ’s Criminal Division said in a statement.

Muneeb Akhter is charged with conspiracy to commit computer fraud and to destroy records, two counts of computer fraud, theft of U.S. government records, and two counts of aggravated identity theft.

Sohaib Akhter is charged with conspiracy to commit computer fraud and to destroy records, as well as computer fraud.

FBI Arrests Suspect in 2021 D.C. Pipe Bomb Case After Nearly Five-Year Investigation
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FBI Arrests Suspect in 2021 D.C. Pipe Bomb Case After Nearly Five-Year Investigation

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Federal authorities have arrested a suspect believed to have planted two pipe bombs near the headquarters of the Republican National Committee and Democratic National Committee on January 5, 2021, according to law enforcement sources who spoke with Fox News Digital on Thursday, as reported by Fox News.

The arrest was made early Thursday morning in Virginia.

The FBI had been searching for the individual since the explosives were discovered on Jan. 6, 2021, as thousands of protesters began gathering near the U.S. Capitol during the certification of the 2020 election results.

The pipe bombs were found just blocks away from the Capitol building, prompting evacuations and drawing significant federal resources during an already volatile day.

Authorities released surveillance footage shortly after the incident that showed an unidentified person placing the devices more than 16 hours before they were located.

The individual, identified as Virginia man Brian Cole, was seen wearing a gray hoodie, Nike Air Max Speed Turf sneakers, gloves, glasses, and a face covering. Despite widespread circulation of the images, the identity of the person remained unknown for years.

A congressional report later noted that the investigation slowed significantly within two months of the discovery, suggesting that credible early leads may have run out.

The lack of resolution fueled persistent questions among some supporters of President Donald Trump regarding the timing, purpose, and handling of the incident.

Others questioned whether the Biden administration had been fully transparent about developments in the case.

FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino, prior to joining the bureau, had publicly raised concerns over whether the planting of the devices could have been an “inside job.”

In May, Bongino told Fox News that investigators were “closing in” on suspects.

Law enforcement officials have not publicly released the name of the suspect arrested Thursday or disclosed details about what led them to identify the individual after such a lengthy investigation.

Officials described the case as ongoing and said additional information will be released as available.

This story is developing.

Erika Kirk Rejects Left’s Gun Narrative in Wake of Her Husband’s Assassination
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Erika Kirk Rejects Left’s Gun Narrative in Wake of Her Husband’s Assassination

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Erika Kirk, CEO of Turning Point USA and the widow of Charlie Kirk, appeared Wednesday at The New York Times DealBook Summit for a closing interview with journalist Andrew Ross Sorkin.

The event, held in New York, is known for featuring high-profile guests, including past appearances by Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos.

Sorkin noted at the start of their conversation that Charlie Kirk had been scheduled to appear at the summit before his assassination.

Sorkin referenced prior discussions he had with Charlie Kirk after mass shootings across the United States.

“He was a real believer, as you know, in the Second Amendment, and I’m curious how you think today about gun violence in America, given what happened to him,” Sorkin said.

Erika Kirk responded, “It’s a thoughtful question. And I wouldn’t wish upon anyone what I have been through. And I support the Second Amendment as well. I do. But there’s a bigger and much deeper conversation to all of that.”

Kirk said her work on college campuses exposed her to concerns frequently raised by students.

She said campus counselors consistently told her that the primary issues facing students were “mental health, anxiety [and] depression.”

“And what Charlie knew, and he was trying to explain to students on campus, was that you have to understand that brain health is so important — how you eat, how you take care of yourself, how you nourish yourself, how you rest. And to him, it was much more deeper and intricate,” she said during her discussion with Sorkin.

Kirk said her experience since the assassination reinforced her belief that the underlying issue is not the existence of firearms, but the motivations and emotional state of individuals who choose violence.

“And what I’ve realized through all of this is that you can have — you can have individuals that will always resort to violence. And what I’m afraid of is that we are living in a day and age where they think violence is the solution to them not wanting to hear a different point of view. That’s not a gun problem. That’s a human, deeply human problem. That is a soul problem. That is a mental — that is a very deeper issue,” she said.

During the interview, Kirk also said she removed social media from her phone following the killing of her husband.

“Social media, like many things, it can be used for such good. And it can be used for such evil,” she said.

“And Charlie and I both intentionally, especially after he was murdered, I took it all off my phone. I don’t even have news apps on my phone. I have nothing on my phone. I let other people post for me and siphon through those comments. That is not — I do not have the brain space for that, and it would not be healthy for me either. I get called so many names, I genuinely don’t care. I really don’t. I told you this before — when you cast the bloody dead body of the person that you love, it pales in comparison to being called x, y, z.”

She added that Charlie Kirk had long recognized the role of social media in his work but made a point to limit his personal exposure to it.

She described their weekly routine, noting that Charlie would disconnect from technology each Friday evening.

“It did not happen overnight. This is something that he leaned into. And on Friday night, when he would get home from work, he would turn off his phone and he would shove it in the junk drawer, and he would say, ‘Shabbat Shalom,’ shove it in the drawer, and he was full Dad mode, fooling with the kids, sports mode on Saturdays for college football, and he could breathe,” she said.

Kirk said that the weekly break from digital engagement gave her husband the opportunity to rest and focus on time with their family.

“He had this sacred moment to just breathe and to rest and get away from the chatter, get away from the world and just have a moment to understand that life is so much bigger than the To-Do list, than the small problem that you’re facing that you’ll laugh at five years or five months, or five minutes from now. And he was really good about that,” she said.

Democrats Are Now Openly Calling for a Military Coup Against President Trump
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Democrats Are Now Openly Calling for a Military Coup Against President Trump

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Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.), the vice chair of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, is drawing attention for remarks made during a recent appearance on MSNOW in which he suggested that the uniformed military “may help save us from this president.”

The comments circulated widely on Wednesday and prompted questions about whether the senator was implying that military leadership should intervene against President Donald Trump.

The discussion followed criticism from several Democratic lawmakers regarding the administration’s decision to target narcoterrorist boats in the Caribbean.

Members of a group referred to by critics as the “Seditious Six,” including Sen. Mark Kelly of Arizona, have led objections to the operation. Warner, though not associated with that group, has been among the most vocal Democrats challenging the policy.

Warner began his interview by referencing what he described as Trump’s treatment of senior military officials, saying the president showed “unprecedented disrespect when they were all brought to get a pep rally in front of Hegseth and Trump.”

The senator was referring to a meeting in which officials were reminded by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth of the military’s role in national defense.

Warner also criticized personnel changes within the administration.

“This is an administration that’s fired, you know, uniformed generals from the head of the NSA, the head of the Defense Intelligence Agency, and I think, um, uh, in many ways, the uniformed military may help save us from this president and his lame people like Hegseth, because I think their commitment is to the Constitution and obviously not to Trump, and I expect Bradley would adhere to that.”

Warner was referring to Adm. Frank Bradley, who was identified by Hegseth as the officer responsible for authorizing a second strike on a narcoterrorist vessel.

The Constitution outlines impeachment by Congress as the mechanism for removing a president, and the military plays no role in that process.

Warner did not elaborate on what actions he believed military leaders might take, leaving the meaning of his remarks open to interpretation.

Warner continued his criticism by faulting the administration’s handling of senior military and intelligence officials.

He said Hegseth was “trying to throw the admiral [Bradley], who is in charge of Socom, under the bus. This is the worst kind of action. I’ve never met Adm. Bradley. Everything I’ve known about him is that this has been an American hero. He’s done the right things. He has supervised special operations for a long time. My fear is this guy is getting thrown under the bus, the same way this administration fired the general head of the NSA, the general that was head of the Defense Intelligence Agency — not for legitimate reasons, but for political purposes. This has never happened in America, this undermining of our intelligence community, undermining of our uniformed military. This is beyond outrageous.”

Warner also said, “This is the biggest ‘ you’ve ever seen,” referring to Trump, Hegseth, and others in the administration.

The senator’s statements come as Democrats continue to question the administration’s approach to military policy and intelligence leadership.

His remarks also arrive in the broader context of ongoing disputes between lawmakers and the White House over national security decisions, including operations targeting narcoterrorist activity in the Caribbean.

Illegal Immigrant Arrested After Feds Seize Nearly 1,600 Pounds of Meth Hidden in Blackberries
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Illegal Immigrant Arrested After Feds Seize Nearly 1,600 Pounds of Meth Hidden in Blackberries

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Federal authorities arrested a previously convicted illegal immigrant in Georgia after seizing nearly 1,600 pounds of methamphetamine concealed in commercial blackberry shipments, the U.S. Attorney’s Office announced Wednesday, as reported by The New York Post.

Prosecutors said the drugs carried an estimated value in the tens of millions of dollars.

Gerardo Solorio-Alvarado, 44, a Mexican national, was indicted Tuesday on charges of conspiracy and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.

Solorio-Alvarado previously served 17 years in federal prison after being convicted of felony possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and possession of a gun in a drug trafficking crime. Officials said he remains unlawfully present in the United States.

His alleged accomplice, Nelson Enrique Sorto, 36, of Atlanta, was charged with possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. Sorto is currently on probation following a 2024 conviction for felony possession of methamphetamine.

The investigation unfolded on Nov. 20, when federal agents and Hall County sheriff’s deputies conducting surveillance at a cold storage warehouse in Fulton County observed three refrigerated box trucks parked outside the facility.

Agents followed one of the trucks to a gas station in Gainesville, where Solorio-Alvarado allegedly picked up the driver and abandoned the vehicle.

A K-9 unit alerted to the presence of narcotics, prompting a search of the abandoned truck. Agents found approximately 661 pounds of methamphetamine concealed among pallets of blackberries.

Authorities later arrested Solorio-Alvarado after he attempted to escape from the back of his Gainesville home. Deputies recovered keys to the truck inside the residence.

A second team of agents followed another refrigerated truck as it traveled with an SUV to a home in southeast Atlanta. Sorto was allegedly driving the SUV.

Shortly after midnight, Sorto left the home with two passengers, and Georgia State Patrol troopers conducted a traffic stop. Inside the SUV, officers found two firearms and several containers of blackberries.

Georgia Bureau of Investigation agents, working with the FBI, searched the box truck parked outside the Atlanta home and recovered approximately 924 pounds of methamphetamine hidden within additional blackberry pallets.

In total, the two seizures amounted to 1,585 pounds of methamphetamine.

“Solorio-Alvarado was convicted in federal court for drug trafficking and possessing a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking, and he served nearly two decades in federal prison for those offenses. He was then, and he remains, an illegal alien, unlawfully present in the United States,” U.S. Attorney Theodore Hertzberg said during a press conference.

Hertzberg added that drug cartels have a pattern of hiding meth in produce shipments.

“We’ve seen the cartels operate this way before. … We have seen massive methamphetamine seizures of drugs that were smuggled in with cucumbers, celery or jalapeño peppers. And now … blackberries.”

Both suspects remain in state custody and will be transferred to the U.S. Marshals Service.


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