Oakland Residents Charged in Fentanyl Bust

Two Oakland residents, Melvin Alexis Diaz Arteaga, 27, and Luis Almicar Erazo-Centeno, 31, have been charged in a federal indictment for their alleged involvement in a fentanyl trafficking operation.

According to the indictment, Diaz Arteaga is charged with conspiracy to distribute fentanyl, possessing fentanyl, heroin, and cocaine with the intent to distribute, and two counts of distributing methamphetamine, including one occurring in San Francisco’s Tenderloin District.

The indictment alleges that Diaz Arteaga engaged in a conspiracy to distribute fentanyl from September 16 to November 16, 2022. He is also charged with three separate counts of possessing fentanyl, heroin, and cocaine on November 16, 2022, with the intent to distribute each drug.

Police allegedly seized approximately two pounds of fentanyl and a combined total of one pound of heroin and cocaine at the arrest scene on November 16, 2022. Diaz Arteaga is also charged with two earlier sales of methamphetamine, one occurring on September 20, 2022, and the other on October 5, 2022.

Erazo-Centeno is charged with one count of possessing fentanyl on November 16, 2022, with the intent to distribute it. He is also charged with one count of accessory after the fact for attempting to dispose of drugs at a residence in Oakland.

The charges contained in the indictment are only allegations. The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.

Diaz Arteaga is charged with one count each of conspiracy to distribute more than 400 grams of fentanyl and possession of more than 400 grams of fentanyl for purposes of distribution, each of which carries a maximum sentence of life and a minimum sentence of 10 years in prison.

The indictment also charges Diaz Arteaga with one count each of possessing more than 100 grams of heroin for distribution and more than 500 grams of cocaine for distribution, and each of these counts carries a maximum sentence of 40 years and a minimum of 5 years in prison.

Erazo-Centeno is charged with one count of possession of fentanyl for distribution, which carries a maximum of 20 years in prison. The indictment also charges Erazo-Centeno with being an accessory after the fact to Diaz Arteaga’s possession of fentanyl for distribution, and that count carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison.

The investigation was led by the DEA and the San Francisco Police Department.

According to the government’s detention memo, Diaz Arteaga was arrested on November 16, 2022, outside of a house in Berkeley. Erazo-Centeno was arrested at a residence in Oakland on November 16, 2022.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicholas Parker is prosecuting the case, with the assistance of paralegal Jessie Chelsea and legal assistant Soana Katoa.

This case serves as a reminder of the dangers of fentanyl trafficking and the importance of holding those responsible accountable.

One Pill Can Kill: Avoid pills bought on the street because fentanyl is a highly potent opioid that drug dealers dilute with cutting agents to make counterfeit prescription pills that appear to be Oxycodone, Percocet, Xanax, and other drugs. Fentanyl is highly addictive and can be fatal in small doses.

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