Federal Court Hands Down 10-Year Sentences in L.A. Fentanyl Distribution Scheme

LOS ANGELES, CA – Two Mexican nationals were each sentenced to 10 years in federal prison for their roles in a scheme to distribute over 1 million fentanyl pills in the Los Angeles area. The sentencing took place on August 13, 2024, before United States District Judge Stanley Blumenfeld Jr., marking a significant development in a case that highlights the ongoing battle against the trafficking of deadly opioids.

Details of the Fentanyl Distribution Operation

Florencio Camacho Allan, 29, and Gerardo Gaxiola Patiño, 30, were arrested in March 2023 in El Monte, California, after being found in possession of over 1 million fentanyl pills intended for distribution. The drug trafficking operation, which took place between September 2022 and March 2023, was part of a conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute fentanyl, a potent synthetic opioid that is significantly contributing to the opioid crisis in the United States.

According to court documents, Allan, Patiño, and a third co-defendant, Alex Valdez Oroz, 26, conspired with a drug broker based in Mexico to orchestrate the sale of approximately 2 million fentanyl pills. On March 7, 2023, Allan and Patiño met with a buyer at a Denny’s restaurant in El Segundo, California, where they successfully sold a sample of 10,000 fentanyl pills for $7,500 as a precursor to a larger transaction. This initial sale was intended to precede two larger deals: one involving 1 million pills later that day, and another 1 million pills the following day.

Later that day, following the initial transaction, law enforcement officers intercepted Allan, Patiño, and Oroz at a Holiday Inn parking lot. During the operation, authorities discovered over 1 million fentanyl pills concealed in the trunk and back seat of a white car. The total weight of the seized pills was approximately 109.3 kilograms (241 pounds), with the intent to distribute them throughout the Los Angeles area.

Guilty Pleas and Sentencing for Fentanyl Distribution Conspiracy

Both Florencio Camacho Allan and Gerardo Gaxiola Patiño pleaded guilty on April 2, 2024, to one count of Conspiracy to Distribute and Possess with Intent to Distribute Fentanyl (21 U.S.C. § 846). This charge addresses their involvement in a coordinated effort to traffic a significant quantity of fentanyl, a substance that has played a major role in the opioid crisis gripping the United States. The conspiracy involved plans to distribute over 1 million fentanyl pills within the Los Angeles area, reflecting the organized and extensive nature of their criminal activity.

Florencio Camacho Allan: Sentenced to 120 months (10 years) in federal prison under 21 U.S.C. § 846. The sentence directly corresponds to his active role in facilitating the distribution of more than 1 million fentanyl pills. Allan’s involvement included the initial transaction of 10,000 fentanyl pills and his participation in planning subsequent deals for much larger quantities. His actions significantly contributed to the trafficking operation, justifying the severity of his sentence.

Gerardo Gaxiola Patiño: Also sentenced to 120 months (10 years) in federal prison under 21 U.S.C. § 846. Patiño’s sentence reflects his critical role in the conspiracy, including retrieving the bag containing fentanyl pills and engaging in discussions that advanced the larger trafficking scheme. The court recognized his participation as integral to the operation, leading to a sentence that mirrors the gravity of his involvement in the illegal distribution of fentanyl.

The 10-year sentences for both men serve as a substantial penalty, acknowledging the significant quantity of fentanyl involved and the potential harm their actions could have caused to the community.

Co-defendant Alex Valdez Oroz, who also pleaded guilty to the same charge on April 2, 2024, is scheduled for sentencing on September 10, 2024. His involvement in the scheme, including driving the car containing the fentanyl pills and his presence during the initial transaction, will be evaluated by the court, and a similar sentence may be imposed.