Heriverto Ramirez, a 37-year-old resident of Brownsville, has been sentenced for possession with intent to distribute 1,741 grams of fentanyl, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar Hamdani.
Ramirez, who pleaded guilty on July 20, 2023, appeared before U.S. District Judge Rolando Olvera, who ordered him to serve 70 months in federal prison. This will be followed by two years of supervised release.
The case unfolded when law enforcement intercepted a package mailed by Ramirez containing 494 grams of fentanyl, cleverly concealed within the shell of a tankless hot water heater, destined for distribution via the U.S. Postal Service.
A subsequent search of Ramirez's residence led to the discovery of an additional 1,247 grams of fentanyl and 8.48 kilograms of cocaine.
Ramirez will remain in custody until he is transferred to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility, the location of which is yet to be determined.
U.S. Attorney Hamdani highlighted the severity of the case, stating, “This case is a perfect example of how fentanyl, a potent and deadly opioid, is overtaking every aspect of the illicit drug trade. Ramirez was caught mailing half a kilogram of fentanyl through USPS, creating a potentially deadly hazard for anyone handling the package. The investigation revealed that this dangerous distribution scheme had been ongoing for almost a year.”
The investigation was led by Homeland Security Investigations with assistance from the Texas Department of Public Safety. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jose A. Esquivel Jr. prosecuted the case.
