Mexican national admits attempted distribution of 1.4 million pills containing nearly 153 kilograms of fentanyl

McALLEN, Texas - 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, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.

Juan Jesus Orozco-Vargas admitted he knew drugs were hidden within pallets of limes he helped import from Mexico.

On April 5, a tractor-trailer containing 24 pallets of limes crossed into Texas from Mexico through the Pharr Port of Entry and arrived at a warehouse in McAllen. Orozco-Vargas was waiting at the warehouse to supervise the transfer of the pallets. While warehouse workers were unloading the boxes of limes, a pallet broke, causing pink and blue fentanyl pills stamped "M30" to spill out onto the floor.

Orozco-Vargas attempted to flee upon law enforcement's arrival on scene, but they quickly apprehended him.

He admitted he was there to make sure the pallets were not damaged. He planned to move the pallets containing the fentanyl pills to the side so they could be transported from the warehouse. He admitted he was going to be paid for his services.

Authorities examined the pallets and discovered they concealed approximately 1.4 million fentanyl pills totaling 152.98 kilograms.

"At 1.4 million doses, this is one of the largest seizures of fentanyl the Southern District of Texas has prosecuted," said 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. My office is committed to dismantling the drug trafficking organizations that flood the United States with deadly fentanyl. This prosecution is emblematic of that commitment."

"Today's guilty plea further emphasizes how critical the investigative efforts of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) are, particularly those involving the smuggling of fentanyl into the United States," said HSI San Antonio Special Agent in Charge Craig Larrabee. "HSI is relentless in its fight against those who deliberately engage in the illicit manufacturing and trafficking of dangerous drugs. We will continue to identify and investigate those who seek to introduce lethal drugs into our communities."

U.S. District Judge Tipton will impose sentencing Feb. 4, 2025. At that time, Orozco faces up to life in federal prison as well as a possible $10 million maximum fine.

He has been and will remain in custody pending that hearing.

Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Amanda McColgan is prosecuting the case.