Javier Moreno-Garibaldi, a 38-year-old Mexican national, has been sentenced to five and a half years in federal prison followed by two years of supervised release for his role in distributing over 400 grams of fentanyl. This sentencing follows his guilty plea.
The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) began investigating a drug trafficking organization in Mexicali, Mexico, in May 2023. The organization was reportedly trafficking significant quantities of fentanyl and methamphetamine through California. During this investigation, authorities intercepted thousands of fentanyl pills intended for Southern Indiana and Western Kentucky.
Undercover law enforcement officers orchestrated a purchase of 60,000 fentanyl pills from an unidentified supplier in Mexicali. Communication with the supplier included discussions about logistics and payments totaling $122,500.
On September 4, 2023, Moreno-Garibaldi arrived at an Evansville hotel driving a Honda SUV with California plates. He met with an undercover officer to count the pills and money at a safehouse. Moreno-Garibaldi transferred a dog kennel box filled with pills into the officer’s car before being arrested without incident. The box contained approximately 70,000 counterfeit “M-30” pills laced with fentanyl.
At the time of arrest, Moreno-Garibaldi was unlawfully present in the United States.
John E. Childress, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana stated: “Every overdose, addiction, and life lost to fentanyl is a tragedy that devastates our families, friends, and communities.” He emphasized the commitment to combating drug trafficking alongside various law enforcement agencies.
Daniel J. Schmidt from the DEA remarked on the impact of seizing these dangerous drugs: “Without a doubt, lives were saved by this seizure of 70,000 fentanyl-laced M30 pills.”
The case was investigated by multiple agencies including the DEA and local police departments. U.S. District Judge Richard L. Young imposed the sentence while Assistant U.S. Attorney Lauren M. Wheatley prosecuted it.
This operation is part of Operation Take Back America which aims to combat illegal immigration and transnational criminal organizations.
The DEA warns that as little as two milligrams of fentanyl can be fatal and highlights that seven out of ten illegal tablets seized contain potentially lethal doses.
