California Man Sentenced for Possession with Intent to Distribute Fentanyl

Acting United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Jose Rico, 26, of California, was sentenced today in federal court in Omaha, Nebraska, for Possession with Intent to Distribute 400 grams or more of Fentanyl.  United States District Judge Brian C. Buescher sentenced Rico to 70 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system.  After his release from prison, he will begin a 3-year term of supervised release.

On July 20, 2022, the Commercial Interdiction Unit was working the Trailways bus station at 16th and Jackson Streets in Omaha.  Law enforcement observed Rico depart the bus, traveling from Los Angeles, California, to Cincinnati, Ohio.  The officer asked Rico about his travel plans, which he had difficulty answering, and Rico began shaking.  The officer took Rico to the back room of the bus terminal, where he read Rico his Miranda rights before searching Rico’s bag. Seven kilos of a white powdery substance were located and two packages of approximately 1,000 fentanyl pills.  A forensic lab confirmed the pills and powder were both fentanyl.  One of the packages contained Xylazine with fentanyl.  Xylazine is a tranquilizer used by veterinarians and is not approved for use in humans.  When mixed with street drugs, Xylazine can cause serious medical issues and death by overdose.

This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration.