Asylum grantee sent to prison for role in fentanyl conspiracy

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – A 24-year-old Mexican national has been sentenced for his role in a conspiracy to distribute approximately 987 grams of fentanyl powder and 4,568 fentanyl pills, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei.

Azael Barrientos-Regalado pleaded guilty Sept. 13, 2024.

U.S. District Judge Nelva Gonzales Ramos has now ordered Barrientos-Regalado to serve 60 months in federal prison. Not a U.S. citizen, he is expected to face removal proceedings following his imprisonment. In handing down the sentence, the court noted that it was a serious crime.

Barrientos was granted political asylum in 2020 based on credible fear of the Mexican cartels.

The investigation revealed Barrientos-Regalado helped facilitate the transportation and delivery of 1.4379 kilograms of fentanyl from the Rio Grande Valley to the Houston area for further redistribution throughout the United States.

He coordinated the transportation by hiring drivers to move the drugs though the Border Patrol (BP) checkpoints. Authorities later seized 987 grams of fentanyl powder and 4,568 pills weighing 450.9 grams, which also contained fentanyl. 

Barrientos-Regalado will remain in custody pending transfer to a Federal Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.

The Drug Enforcement Administration and BP conducted the joint investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Liesel Roscher and Joseph Griffith prosecuted the case.