United States Attorney
Northern District of Texas

1100 Commerce St., 3rd Fl.
Dallas, Texas 75242-1699

Telephone (214) 659-8600
Fax (214) 767-0978

HEROIN DISTRIBUTOR SENTENCED TO
MORE THAN 12 YEARS IN FEDERAL PRISON WITHOUT PAROLE

United States Attorney Richard B. Roper announced that two Dallas men, Alvaro Rojas-Vasquez and Carlos Solis, have been sentenced for their part in a conspiracy to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin. The Honorable Sidney A. Fitzwater, United States District Judge, sentenced Rojas-Vasquez to 151 months imprisonment and Solis to 41 months imprisonment. Judge Fitzwater also ordered that they forfeit the three vehicles and more than $15,000 in drug proceeds.

Both Rojas-Vasquez and Solis pled guilty in December to conspiring to distribute more than 100 grams of heroin. Beginning in June 2005, agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), with assistance from narcotic officers with the Farmers Branch Police Department, began an investigation targeting the distribution of heroin by a person known only as "Julio," who later proved to be Rojas-Vasquez. Law enforcement officers, using a confidential informant, placed telephone calls to Rojas-Vasquez and arranged for the delivery of drugs. On several occasions, Rojas-Vasquez, through a "runner" later identified as Carlos Solis, delivered cocaine, methamphetamine, but mostly heroin, to the informant and an undercover narcotics officer.

On July, 1, 2005, Rojas-Vasquez and Solis were arrested after they attempted to deliver heroin. Solis was apprehended with heroin and Rojas-Vasquez was apprehended as he made his way to the area where the drug purchase was to occur. Subsequently, law enforcement officers searched Rojas-Vasquez's apartment and seized a cache of heroin, methamphetamine and cocaine. They also seized more than $15,000 in U.S. currency, all the proceeds of illegal drug sales.

U.S. Attorney Roper praised the investigative efforts of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Farmers Branch, Texas, Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Gary Tromblay.

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