A Mexican national, Azael Barrientos-Regalado, has been sentenced for his involvement in a fentanyl distribution conspiracy. U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei announced the sentence, which comes after Barrientos-Regalado pleaded guilty on September 13, 2024.
U.S. District Judge Nelva Gonzales Ramos sentenced Barrientos-Regalado to 60 months in federal prison. Being a non-U.S. citizen, he is likely to undergo removal proceedings post-imprisonment. The court emphasized the seriousness of the crime during sentencing.
In 2020, Barrientos was granted political asylum due to credible fears concerning Mexican cartels. However, investigations revealed his role in facilitating the transportation and delivery of 1.4379 kilograms of fentanyl from the Rio Grande Valley to Houston for further distribution across the United States.
Barrientos-Regalado managed transportation by employing drivers to pass drugs through Border Patrol checkpoints. Authorities later seized 987 grams of fentanyl powder and 4,568 pills containing an additional 450.9 grams of fentanyl.
He will remain in custody until transferred to a Federal Bureau of Prisons facility soon.
The Drug Enforcement Administration and Border Patrol conducted this joint investigation, with Assistant U.S. Attorneys Liesel Roscher and Joseph Griffith prosecuting the case.