Man Faces Life Sentence in Southern Texas Fentanyl Seizure

Juan Jesus Orozco-Vargas pleads guilty in one of Southern Texas' largest fentanyl cases, involving over 1.4 million pills.Photo byBermix StudioonUnsplash

A 38-year-old man is facing life in prison after pleading guilty in one of the largest fentanyl cases prosecuted in the Southern District of Texas, the U.S. Attorney's Office announced today.

Juan Jesus Orozco-Vargas admitted to knowing that drugs were hidden within pallets of limes he helped import from Mexico, according to the department.

On April 5, a tractor-trailer carrying 24 pallets of limes crossed into Texas through the Pharr Port of Entry and arrived at a warehouse in McAllen, the U.S. Attorney’s Office stated.

“This is one of the largest seizures of fentanyl the Southern District of Texas has prosecuted,” said U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani. “Removing these deadly pills from the streets of American cities, especially streets that are a few miles away from Mexico, will only save countless lives.”

Orozco-Vargas was at the warehouse to supervise the transfer of the pallets. During the unloading process, one of the pallets broke, spilling pink and blue fentanyl pills stamped "M30" onto the floor, according to the department.

Orozco-Vargas attempted to flee when law enforcement arrived but was quickly apprehended, the U.S. Attorney's Office reported. He admitted he was there to ensure the pallets were not damaged and planned to move them for further transportation.

Further examination of the pallets revealed approximately 1.4 million fentanyl pills, totaling 152.98 kilograms, concealed within the shipment, the department confirmed. Orozco-Vargas confessed that he was going to be paid for his role in the operation.

“Today’s guilty plea underscores the importance of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) in combating fentanyl smuggling,” said HSI San Antonio Special Agent in Charge Craig Larrabee. “We will continue to identify and investigate those who seek to introduce lethal drugs into our communities.”