Tenderloin Fentanyl Kingpin Lands 5-Year Prison Stretch

A federal judge has handed down a hard 5-year prison sentence to 25-year-old Miguel Ramos, a Honduras native, for his role in peddling deadly fentanyl in San Francisco’s notorious Tenderloin district.

Ramos, a convicted fentanyl dealer, pleaded guilty in January 2024 to one count of possession with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl, as well as four counts of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, cocaine base, cocaine, and heroin.

According to court records, Ramos was busted in October 2022 with a whopping 3,530 grams (or approximately 7.7 pounds) of fentanyl in various colors, stuffed into multiple baggies. He was also found with 54 grams of methamphetamine, 18 grams of cocaine base, 12 grams of cocaine salt, 26 grams of heroin, a large stash of cash, and a digital scale.

“Fentanyl is wreaking havoc in our communities, particularly in the Tenderloin,” said United States Attorney Ismail J. Ramsey. “Miguel Ramos cavalierly possessed more than seven pounds of this highly lethal substance for sale. This Office will ensure that dealers like Mr. Ramos face Justice and long prison sentences.”

Ramos’s sentence was handed down by the Hon. Richard Seeborg, Chief United States District Judge. In addition to the 5-year prison term, Judge Seeborg ordered Ramos to serve three years of supervised release after his prison term is completed.

The case was the result of a months-long investigation by the DEA and the San Francisco Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney George Hageman is prosecuting the case with the assistance of Helen Yee.

As the nation grapples with the devastating impact of fentanyl, law enforcement officials are sounding the alarm about the dangers of counterfeit pills laced with the deadly substance. Fentanyl, a Schedule II controlled substance, is a highly potent opiate that can be diluted with cutting agents to create pills that mimic the effects of legitimate medications. However, even small variations in the amount or quality of fentanyl can lead to catastrophic consequences, including death. According to recent data, fentanyl has become the leading cause of drug overdose deaths in the United States.

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