Horacio Torrecillas Urias Jr., 24, of Fresno, has been sentenced to 23 years and one month in prison for distribution of fentanyl and conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and fentanyl, Acting U.S. Attorney Michele Beckwith announced.
According to court documents, the investigation began after a series of fentanyl pill overdoses in the Fresno area. These overdoses were caused by counterfeit oxycodone M30 tablets containing fentanyl, referred to on the street as M30s.
The investigation, dubbed “Operation Killer High,” targeted the drug dealers believed to have supplied the toxic pills that caused the spike in fentanyl-related overdoses. The operation uncovered a large drug-trafficking ring led by Torrecillas Urias, the self-proclaimed “M30 king of Fresno.”
Torrecillas Urias was obtaining, directly from sources in Mexico, tens of thousands of counterfeit M30 fentanyl pills and large quantities of fentanyl powder, cocaine, and methamphetamine.
He and his co-defendants were then distributing these illicit drugs to dealers inside and outside of California.
During the investigation, federal, state, and local law enforcement agents conducted traffic stops, intercepted packages, and executed residential search warrants that resulted in the recovery of over 55,000 fentanyl pills, six pounds of fentanyl powder, 10 pounds of methamphetamine, a pound of cocaine, 25 firearms, and hundreds of rounds of ammunition.
Operation Killer High resulted in three federal cases charging a total of 20 defendants. All but one pleaded guilty.
The remaining defendant, Alma Garza, was found guilty in September 2024 after a four-day jury trial.
She is set for sentencing on February 24, 2025.