Jury Convicts Mexican National For Trafficking Methamphetamine In Hillsborough And Manatee Counties

Tampa, FL - United States Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe announces that a federal jury has found Lorenzo Valerio-Popoca (31, Mexico) guilty of two counts of conspiring to traffic methamphetamine. Valerio-Popoca faces a minimum of 10 years, up to life, in federal prison on each count. His sentencing hearing is set for October 29, 2025.

According to testimony presented at trial, Valerio-Popoca brokered and coordinated the delivery of a half kilogram of methamphetamine in Palmetto. On March 30, 2018, Valerio-Popoca then brokered and coordinated the delivery of 2 kilograms of methamphetamine in Sun City Center. Valerio-Popoca remained a fugitive until November 2022, when he was arrested for trafficking 10 kilograms of methamphetamine in Pasadena, Texas.

Half kilogram of methamphetamine from January 29, 2018

2 kilograms of methamphetamine recovered from March 30, 2018

This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, with assistance from the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office, and the Pasadena (Texas) Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney David J. Pardo.