A California man, Nefer Ojeda-Elenes, has been sentenced to 19 years in federal prison for trafficking fentanyl to the Metro East area. The sentencing took place in East St. Louis, Illinois, where Ojeda-Elenes, aged 33, pleaded guilty to conspiracy and distribution charges related to the controlled substance.
U.S. Attorney Steven D. Weinhoeft commented on the case: "Fentanyl is a ruthless killer—devastating families, shattering communities and leaving a trail of grief in its wake." He noted that Ojeda-Elenes was involved in bringing seven kilograms of fentanyl into the region, emphasizing the lethal potential of even two milligrams of the drug.
Court documents reveal that Ojeda-Elenes was part of a conspiracy to deliver two kilograms of fentanyl in April 2020 and had plans for an additional five kilograms in May 2020. However, law enforcement intercepted the latter shipment before it reached Illinois.
DEA St. Louis Division Special Agent in Charge Michael Davis highlighted the impact of Ojeda-Elenes' actions: “Nefer Ojeda-Elenes attempted to introduce more than half-a-million lethal doses of fentanyl into our Southern Illinois communities.” He reiterated the dangers posed by fentanyl and emphasized ongoing efforts by law enforcement to prevent such substances from harming communities.
Another individual involved, Mariano A. Perez, also from California, faces similar charges and is scheduled for a court appearance on March 20. It is important to note that an indictment is a formal charge and does not imply guilt; defendants are presumed innocent until proven otherwise.
The investigation is being led by DEA St. Louis with Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel Carraway handling prosecution duties.