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News Release

Previously Convicted Mexican National Unlawfully Residing In The United States Pleads Guilty To Fentanyl Trafficking And Illegal Reentry (Photo) - 11/13/26

Previously Convicted Mexican National Unlawfully Residing in the United States Pleads Guilty to Fentanyl Trafficking and Illegal Reentry

 

 

PORTLAND, Ore. — A Mexican national unlawfully residing in the United States pleaded guilty in federal court Tuesday to possessing fentanyl with intent to distribute and illegally reentering the United States after removal.

 

Carlos Baustista-Lopez, 53, of Portland, was previously convicted in the U.S. District Court for the District of Utah in 2011 of possession with intent to distribute heroin. He was sentenced to 150 months in federal prison and later deported to Mexico in March 2021.

 

“After serving a lengthy federal prison sentence for heroin trafficking and being removed from the United States, this defendant chose to return illegally and resume trafficking one of the deadliest drugs impacting our communities today,” said U.S. Attorney Scott Bradford. “Fentanyl is driving overdose deaths across the country, and we will not tolerate traffickers who endanger our communities while defying our nation's immigration laws.”

 

According to court documents, beginning in early 2026, investigators with the Multnomah County Sheriff's Office Special Investigations Unit and the FBI conducted three controlled purchases of fentanyl from Baustista-Lopez.

 

On May 20, 2026, federal agents executed search warrants on Baustista-Lopez and his residence. Investigators stopped Baustista-Lopez while he was driving a vehicle that had previously been used during controlled drug transactions. During a search of his person, agents seized approximately $1,942 in U.S. currency.

 

After being advised of his rights, Baustista-Lopez admitted he was transporting fentanyl to a customer. Agents recovered fentanyl hidden inside the vehicle and later searched his residence, where they seized two money remitter receipts, a drug ledger, an additional cellular phone, approximately 194 grams of fentanyl packaged in 17 bags, and approximately $12,492 in cash.

As part of his plea agreement, Baustista-Lopez admitted responsibility for possessing fentanyl with intent to distribute and agreed that the total drug quantity attributable to him was at least 400 grams of a mixture or substance containing fentanyl. He also admitted that he reentered the United States without authorization and was found in Oregon on May 20, 2026, without having obtained permission to reapply for admission.

 

On Nov. 10, 2026, Baustista-Lopez pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and one count of illegal reentry after removal. The fentanyl offense carries a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in federal prison and a maximum sentence of 40 years in prison. The illegal reentry offense carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison.

Under the terms of the plea agreement, Baustista-Lopez agreed to forfeit $14,434 in drug-trafficking proceeds seized during the investigation.

 

Kemp L. Strickland, Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon, is prosecuting the case.

 

The FBI and Multnomah County Sheriff's Office Special Investigations Unit investigated the case, with assistance from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

###

Attached Media Files: PDF,

Previously Convicted Mexican National Unlawfully Residing In The United States Pleads Guilty To Fentanyl Trafficking And Illegal Reentry (Photo) - 11/13/26

Previously Convicted Mexican National Unlawfully Residing in the United States Pleads Guilty to Fentanyl Trafficking and Illegal Reentry

 

 

PORTLAND, Ore. — A Mexican national unlawfully residing in the United States pleaded guilty in federal court Tuesday to possessing fentanyl with intent to distribute and illegally reentering the United States after removal.

 

Carlos Baustista-Lopez, 53, of Portland, was previously convicted in the U.S. District Court for the District of Utah in 2011 of possession with intent to distribute heroin. He was sentenced to 150 months in federal prison and later deported to Mexico in March 2021.

 

“After serving a lengthy federal prison sentence for heroin trafficking and being removed from the United States, this defendant chose to return illegally and resume trafficking one of the deadliest drugs impacting our communities today,” said U.S. Attorney Scott Bradford. “Fentanyl is driving overdose deaths across the country, and we will not tolerate traffickers who endanger our communities while defying our nation's immigration laws.”

 

According to court documents, beginning in early 2026, investigators with the Multnomah County Sheriff's Office Special Investigations Unit and the FBI conducted three controlled purchases of fentanyl from Baustista-Lopez.

 

On May 20, 2026, federal agents executed search warrants on Baustista-Lopez and his residence. Investigators stopped Baustista-Lopez while he was driving a vehicle that had previously been used during controlled drug transactions. During a search of his person, agents seized approximately $1,942 in U.S. currency.

 

After being advised of his rights, Baustista-Lopez admitted he was transporting fentanyl to a customer. Agents recovered fentanyl hidden inside the vehicle and later searched his residence, where they seized two money remitter receipts, a drug ledger, an additional cellular phone, approximately 194 grams of fentanyl packaged in 17 bags, and approximately $12,492 in cash.

As part of his plea agreement, Baustista-Lopez admitted responsibility for possessing fentanyl with intent to distribute and agreed that the total drug quantity attributable to him was at least 400 grams of a mixture or substance containing fentanyl. He also admitted that he reentered the United States without authorization and was found in Oregon on May 20, 2026, without having obtained permission to reapply for admission.

 

On Nov. 10, 2026, Baustista-Lopez pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and one count of illegal reentry after removal. The fentanyl offense carries a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in federal prison and a maximum sentence of 40 years in prison. The illegal reentry offense carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison.

Under the terms of the plea agreement, Baustista-Lopez agreed to forfeit $14,434 in drug-trafficking proceeds seized during the investigation.

 

Kemp L. Strickland, Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon, is prosecuting the case.

 

The FBI and Multnomah County Sheriff's Office Special Investigations Unit investigated the case, with assistance from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

###

Attached Media Files: PDF,