SACRAMENTO, Calif. — In a stunning blow to the illicit drug trade, Ivan Lopez, 34, and Erick Olivas Lopez, 39, both of Mexico, have been hit with a two-count indictment for their alleged role in the transportation of nearly 15,000 fentanyl-laced counterfeit oxycodone pills.
The defendants were apprehended on April 25, 2019, during a traffic stop where law enforcement discovered 14,799 pills containing the deadly substance fentanyl, totaling approximately 1.6 kilograms and valued at an estimated $10 million.
This operation was the culmination of a joint effort by the Tri-County Drug Enforcement Team (TRIDENT), the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, and the California Highway Patrol. Assistant United States Attorney David W. Spencer is leading the prosecution.
Should they be found guilty, Lopez and Olivas Lopez each face a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years to life in prison, accompanied by a $10 million fine. However, the actual sentence will be determined by the court’s discretion following an assessment of relevant statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
It is important to note that these charges are merely allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in accordance with the law.
This investigation underscores the ongoing threat posed by counterfeit drugs laced with fentanyl, which has contributed to a surge in overdoses across the nation. The Grimy Times will continue to follow this case for updates on its progress.
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Key Facts
- State: California
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Fraud & Financial Crimes|Violent Crime|Public Corruption
- Source: Official Source ↗
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