Sentri Pass Holder Admits Smuggling Deadly Fentanyl, Heroin, Oxycodone and other Narcotics into the U.S.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Sherri Walker Hobson (619) 961-0287

NEWS RELEASE SUMMARY – December 7, 2017

SAN DIEGO – Oscar Vasquez-Alamilla of Spring Valley pleaded guilty in federal court today to smuggling multiple narcotics in his truck while driving through the Otay Mesa Port of Entry on September 26, 2017 through the SENTRI lanes.

Vasquez-Alamilla was a SENTRI (Secure Electronic Network for Travelers Response Inspection) pass holder, which allowed expedited clearance for pre-approved travelers upon arrival in the United States and further allowed travelers to use dedicated lanes into the United States at southern land border ports.  SENTRI is a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Program.

In pleading guilty today to four felony counts of importing controlled substances, Vasquez-Alamilla admitted that on September 26, 2017, he knew that he was smuggling 24.74 pounds of cocaine, 12.68 pounds of fentanyl, 13.71 pounds of heroin, and over 7,000 pills marked as oxycodone in his truck as he entered the SENTRI lanes at Otay Mesa Port of Entry.  These drugs  were found in his truck by Customs and Border Protection officers (CBP) at the Otay Mesa Port of Entry.

Because of Vasquez-Alamilla’s immigration status as a lawful permanent residence of the U.S., he acknowledged in court today that his guilty pleas to importing drugs would cause his  deportation from the U.S. to Mexico.

Vasquez-Alamilla is scheduled for sentencing on March 12, 2018, at 9 a.m. before District Court Judge Larry A. Burns.

DEFENDANT                                   Criminal Case No. 17CR3467LAB

OSCAR VASQUEZ-ALAMILLA            Age: 34                                 Spring Valley, California

SUMMARY OF CHARGES

Count 1 – Importation of 6.22 kilograms of heroin (21 U.S.C. 952, 960)

Count 2 – Importation of 11.22 kilograms of cocaine (21 U.S.C. 952, 960)

Count 3 – Importation of 5.75 kilograms of fentanyl (21 U.S.C. 952, 960)

Count 4 – Importation of 7000 oxycodone pills (21 U.S.C. 952, 960)

Maximum penalties as to Counts 1, 2 and 3:  10-year minimum mandatory to life; fine of $1 million

Maximum penalty as to Count 4:  20 years maximum; fine of $250,000

AGENCIES

U.S. Customs and Border Protection

Homeland Security Investigations