Fentanyl Trafficking Ring Busted in Virginia
A California woman, Lily Marlene Contreras Lopez, 35, has been sentenced to 8 years and 8 months in prison for her part in a conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and methamphetamine.
According to court documents, Contreras Lopez took over the drug-trafficking business of her romantic partner in September 2022, after he was arrested on firearms and narcotics charges in California.
Her customers included Chase Scott Jones, 27, who supplied drugs to Sean Michael Johnson, 26, a long-time supplier of narcotics to customers across the nation.
Law enforcement learned that Johnson had sold tens of thousands of fentanyl pills to an individual in Virginia, dating back to at least May 2020. They made a total of six controlled purchases from the conspiracy beginning in January 2023.
The fifth and sixth controlled purchases were conducted in person in California, involving 100 pounds of meth and 10 kilograms of fentanyl powder. Contreras Lopez distributed the meth to Jones before the deal, and both were arrested after the transaction.
During searches of Contreras Lopez’s apartment and storage, law enforcement recovered 2 kilograms of fentanyl powder, 5 handguns, a digital scale, a money counter, several empty promethazine bottles, and drug ledgers.
On February 29, Johnson pled guilty to conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and meth. He was sentenced on May 29 to 8 years and 6 months in prison.
On February 4, Jones pled guilty to conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and meth. He was sentenced on June 6 to 10 years in prison.
The case is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation, which identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations threatening the United States.
Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 1:24-cr-46.
Key Facts
- State: Virginia
- Category: Drug Trafficking
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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