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A U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration photo of a plastic bag containing hundreds of fentanyl-laced pills.<\/p>\n
“Substance abuse\u00a0in\u00a0our communities \u2014 particularly\u00a0fentanyl\u00a0abuse \u2014 has been a persistent problem that has affected so\u00a0many Americans. It\u2019s important that we stay engaged and continue\u00a0to\u00a0find and prosecute\u00a0dealers like this\u00a0to\u00a0curtail the flow of illegal and harmful substances on our streets,\u201d Simmons said in a statement. “The\u00a0investigation and successful prosecution of these cases let the American people know that their government is working\u00a0to\u00a0make this country a place where Americans cannot just survive but thrive.\u201d<\/p>\n
Archives: Fentanyl overdose deaths, epidemic continues to grow in El Paso, border communities<\/a><\/p>\n Acosta was also sentenced to five years of supervised release after he serves his prison term.<\/p>\n The sentencing took place on Tuesday, Feb. 10, at the Albert Armendariz Sr.\u00a0Federal Courthouse in Downtown El Paso. He pleaded guilty to the charge on Nov. 18.<\/p>\n “This case serves as a stern warning\u00a0to\u00a0other drug\u00a0dealers,” DEA\u2019s\u00a0El\u00a0Paso\u00a0Division Special Agent\u00a0in\u00a0Charge Omar Arellano said in a statement. “If the drugs you sell kill someone, the DEA will\u00a0investigate, build a case against you, and see that you face the consequences. As part of\u00a0Fentanyl\u00a0Free America, the men and women of the DEA are committed\u00a0to\u00a0protecting and supporting the communities we serve.”<\/p>\n Fentanyl pills lead to woman’s death<\/p>\n Acosta sold three counterfeit M-30 pills containing\u00a0fentanyl\u00a0to\u00a0a woman, who is not named in court documents, on July 16, 2021.<\/p>\n The woman “purchased the pills on behalf of herself and another person,” the news release states. Acosta advertised drugs he was selling in Snapchat photos<\/a>, according to testimony from a Feb. 27, 2025, detention hearing.<\/p>\n More: US drug czar declares ‘days are numbered’ for cartels at border, touts fentanyl fight<\/a><\/p>\n The woman who purchased the drugs and another woman, who is only identified as A.L.M. in court documents, took the drugs.<\/p>\n The buyer woke up and found A.L.M. cold to the touch and unresponsive, according to court testimony. Another person started CPR, which was continued by paramedics who arrived at the scene. A.L.M. was taken by ambulance to Las Palmas Medical Center, where she was pronounced dead.<\/p>\n U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration\u00a0agents took on the investigation after being alerted by the El Paso Police Department that a woman died overnight on July 16-17, 2021, from a fentanyl overdose.<\/p>\n