FRESNO, Calif. — A man from Lancaster, Adolfo Montiel, 46, received a sentence of 16 years and four months in prison for his involvement in a drug trafficking conspiracy. U.S. District Judge Jennifer L. Thurston handed down the sentence, according to an announcement by Acting U.S. Attorney Michele Beckwith.
The case against Montiel is part of Operation Toxic Waste, which investigated a drug trafficking organization responsible for smuggling significant quantities of methamphetamine, cocaine, fentanyl, and heroin. Court documents reveal that Montiel's role included storing, packaging, and redistributing drugs for the organization. The organized group was known for concealing narcotics in items such as portable projectors, batteries, semi-trucks, and in the gas tanks of vehicles, using GPS devices for tracking. During a 2023 raid of Montiel's residence, authorities found over 10 pounds of fentanyl pills, more than 60 pounds of methamphetamine, and several firearms.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation led the investigation, with prosecution led by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Justin J. Gilio and Cody S. Chapple.
Montiel's case is also linked to Operation Synthetic Opioid Surge (S.O.S.), an initiative aimed at reducing synthetic opioid availability in critical areas and dismantling wide-reaching drug distribution networks. Since its launch in July 2018, S.O.S. has been active in the Eastern District of California, among other districts.
This operation falls under the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF), which targets high-level criminal organizations through a cooperated, intelligence-driven strategy. For additional information on these efforts, visit Justice.gov/OCDETF.