A jury in Los Angeles has found Mirela Todorova, also known as "Mimi," guilty of operating a sophisticated drug delivery service that resulted in three near-fatal fentanyl overdoses. The 36-year-old was convicted on multiple counts, including conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and distribution of fentanyl leading to serious bodily injury.
The court ruled that Todorova must forfeit $498,555 in proceeds from her drug operations. Acting United States Attorney Joseph McNally stated, "This defendant used her knowledge of technology to peddle the poison of fentanyl – despite knowing the pills she sold ran the risk of killing people."
Matthew Allen, Special Agent in Charge of the DEA's Los Angeles Field Division, highlighted the significance of this case: "This case started with a single overdose and led to the identification of the dealer responsible for multiple overdoses."
From June 2020 to March 2021, Todorova orchestrated a drug trafficking operation using cellphones and narcotics like counterfeit oxycodone pills containing fentanyl. She hired drivers to deliver drugs across Los Angeles County and continued operations even while visiting Mexico.
Despite warnings about the dangers of her products, Todorova persisted in selling fentanyl-laced pills until February 2021. In March 2021, law enforcement seized various narcotics from her home during a search.
Todorova also made false statements to federal investigators in December 2021 regarding her involvement in drug distribution. United States District Judge André Birotte Jr. has scheduled her sentencing for September 12, where she faces a minimum sentence of 20 years up to life imprisonment.
Co-defendants Mucktarr Kather Sei, Christopher Y. Moreno Núñez, and Ashley Alicia Nicole Johnson have pleaded guilty to related charges and await sentencing. This investigation involved collaboration between the Los Angeles Police Department and the DEA's Overdose Justice Task Force.
Assistant United States Attorneys Patrick Castañeda, Jason C. Pang, Suria M. Bahadue, and James E. Dochterman are prosecuting this case.