Jose Orozco Acosta, Fentanyl Trafficking, New York 2022

California Man Pleads Guilty to Fentanyl Trafficking in New York

Syracuse, NY – In a major blow to the opioid epidemic, Jose Orozco Acosta, a 22-year-old man from Bakersfield, California, has pleaded guilty to possessing over 65,000 fentanyl pills with the intent to distribute them in Syracuse, NY.

According to court documents, Acosta transported the fentanyl pills to a storage unit in Syracuse on April 4, 2022, where they were discovered by authorities. The pills, weighing approximately 7.2 kilograms, were hidden in a black plastic tote and were intended for distribution throughout the Central New York area.

The investigation, led by the New York State Police (NYSP) in conjunction with the DEA, revealed that Acosta was transporting fentanyl and other narcotics from California to drug dealers in Central New York for further distribution. In August 2022, authorities arrested many of the local dealers that Acosta was supplying, resulting in the largest drug seizure in Cayuga County in over 10 years.

As a result of his plea, Acosta faces a minimum of 10 years and a maximum of life in prison, a fine of up to $10,000,000, and a term of supervised release of at least 5 years and up to life. He is scheduled to be sentenced on August 22, 2023, by Chief United States District Judge Brenda K. Sannes in Syracuse, NY.

The case was investigated by the NYSP Violent Gang and Narcotics Enforcement Team (NYSP-VGNET) and DEA Resident Offices in Syracuse, NY and Bakersfield, CA, with assistance from the Finger Lakes Drug Task Force, Auburn Police Department, Cayuga County Sheriff’s Office, United States Marshal Service, United States Army National Guard Counterdrug Program, Cayuga County District Attorney’s Office, Cortland City Police Department, Bakersfield Police Department, Kern County Sheriff’s Office, and Kern County Probation Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica N. Carbone is prosecuting the case.

The guilty plea marks a significant victory in the fight against fentanyl trafficking in New York. Acosta’s actions put countless lives at risk, and his sentence sends a strong message that those who engage in this deadly trade will face severe consequences.

The Grimy Times will continue to follow this case and provide updates as more information becomes available.

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