Crack Dealers Sentenced in Deadly McAllen Scheme

McALLEN, Texas – Four men are off the streets and facing significant federal prison time after a multi-year investigation revealed a large-scale crack cocaine operation directly linked to a fatal overdose. U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani announced the sentences this week, marking a victory for law enforcement battling the relentless flow of narcotics through South Texas.

Gabriel Ortiz, 31, Francisco Ortiz, 53, and Adbento Guerrero, 62, all of McAllen, alongside Alonzo Rolando Garza, 42, of Edinburg, all previously entered guilty pleas related to the charges. Chief U.S. District Judge Randy Crane has handed down the following sentences: Gabriel Ortiz received a staggering 144 months – 12 years – in prison. Francisco Ortiz will spend 121 months behind bars. Guerrero and Garza were previously sentenced to 30 and 120 months, respectively. Each defendant will also be subject to five years of supervised release upon completion of their prison terms.

“Gabriel Ortiz and his co-conspirators, with their irresponsible and criminal behavior, directly caused the death of a human being,” Hamdani stated bluntly. “This case demonstrates the dangers of local drug dealing and narcotics usage. Thankfully, their lengthy prison sentences will ensure they can no longer traffic these deadly substances in our communities and bring such tragedy to our streets.” The victim, a 53-year-old man, died in November 2020 after consuming approximately three grams of cocaine base purchased from Gabriel Ortiz.

The investigation, spanning 2019 and 2020, revealed that the quartet operated a significant drug trafficking network in the McAllen and Edinburg areas. They weren’t dealing in small amounts; the co-conspirators routinely purchased and sold multi-kilogram quantities of cocaine, alongside smaller amounts of the highly addictive crack cocaine. Law enforcement’s efforts weren’t limited to arrests. The operation resulted in the seizure of over 10 kilograms of cocaine and 69 grams of cocaine base, with a combined estimated street value of approximately $260,000.

The financial impact of dismantling this operation extends beyond the seized narcotics. Authorities also confiscated $294,520 in cash and assets linked to the drug trafficking scheme. This seizure represents a significant blow to the organization’s ability to continue its illicit activities. The case was spearheaded by the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) program, with crucial support from the Edinburg Police Department, Hidalgo County Sheriff’s Office, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

Assistant U.S. Attorney James Sturgis successfully prosecuted the case, securing convictions and lengthy sentences for all four defendants. The OCDETF program, as noted by the Department of Justice, focuses on identifying, disrupting, and dismantling the most dangerous criminal organizations in the United States, employing a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, and multi-agency approach. This case serves as a grim reminder of the deadly consequences of the drug trade and the unwavering commitment of law enforcement to bring those responsible to justice.

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