California Man Pleads Guilty to Trafficking Fentanyl into Texas

PECOS, Texas – A California man pleaded guilty Tuesday in a federal court in Pecos to possession with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of fentanyl.

According to court documents, the Texas Department of Public Safety’s (DPS) Criminal Investigations Division (CID) intercepted a known drug conspiracy occurring in the Pecos area.  DPS CID requested U.S. Border Patrol’s assistance to seize suspected fentanyl in a controlled environment.  On Feb. 23 at the USBP checkpoint in Sierra Blanca, a USBP canine alerted agents to search the vehicle driven by Edgar Jesus Castillo, 26, of Palmdale, California.  During an inspection, agents located an unmarked envelope in the trunk of the vehicle containing a vacuum-sealed bag full of a compressed white powder.  The powder tested positive for fentanyl.  Castillo had obtained the 1.005 kilograms of fentanyl in California and was transporting it to Pecos, where he intended to rent a hotel room and meet with a customer traveling from Houston. 

Castillo faces a penalty of 10 years to life in prison with a maximum fine of $10 million. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza of the Western District of Texas made the announcement.

The Texas Department of Public Safety, USBP and Homeland Security Investigations are investigating the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Ellis is prosecuting the case.

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