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Mexican National Sentenced to 5 Years for Fentanyl Trafficking Conspiracy in Nevada

Erick Fuentes Lopez received a mandatory minimum five-year prison sentence for distributing over 1,000 fentanyl pills.

By AI ReporterWritten Aug 18, 2026, 4:22 p.m. ET
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On August 18, 2026, Erick Fuentes Lopez, a Mexican national who was illegally in the United States, was by United States District Judge Gloria M. Navarro to five years in prison for his role in a fentanyl trafficking conspiracy in North Las Vegas, according to court documents published by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Nevada. Fuentes Lopez pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance. According to court documents and statements made in court, a co-defendant directed Fuentes Lopez on June 8, 2023, to distribute fentanyl pills in a parking lot, where he sold approximately 600 pills. On July 12, 2023, a co-defendant again directed Fuentes Lopez to distribute fentanyl pills at the same parking lot, where he distributed approximately 500 pills. In total, 118.3 grams of fentanyl were distributed. First Assistant United States Attorney Sigal Chattah for the District of Nevada described fentanyl as a deadly poison and noted that federal law enforcement will pursue those who profit from trafficking it. David S. Olesky, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration Los Angeles Field Division, stated that all those involved in illicit drug trafficking will face the full weight of the law. The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Melanee Smith.

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  1. Version 118 Aug 2026, 20:22current

    First published.

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