RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) — A man will serve more than three decades in federal prison for his role in a drug trafficking operation in North Carolina, prosecutors said Wednesday.
According to the Office of the United States Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina, 45-year-old Fortunado Beltran oversaw the shipment of methamphetamine and fentanyl from California and Mexico into North Carolina for distribution.
The investigation into Beltran began in early 2024 after the ATF and DEA learned of his Mexico-based drug trafficking organization’s activity in North Carolina. Agents purchased more than $100,000 worth of drugs from the organization, which totaled 35 pounds of methamphetamine and seven pounds of fentanyl, according to federal prosecutors.
Federal prosecutors said Beltran was found guilty of conspiracy to sell methamphetamine and fentanyl and selling methamphetamine and fentanyl on Nov. 21, 2025. A judge sentenced Beltran to 31 years in federal prison on March 27.
“Fentanyl kills everyone, especially our kids,” U.S. Attorney Ellis Boyle said in a statement. “This California thug brought his Mexican poison here to kill children in our communities. We sent a strong message: Learn the lesson: don’t sell drugs, go to prison for decades if you do: do better.”
ATF Special Agent in Charge Alicia Jones said in a statement, “Drug trafficking creates a cycle of violence in our communities that too often includes illegal firearm use and possession. Coordinated efforts among our local, state, and federal law enforcement partners help break up these drug trafficking networks, stop violent gun crimes, and make our neighborhoods safer.”
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