DOJ: Man attempts to cross 1.4 million fentanyl pills through Pharr

PHARR, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A Mexican national involved in one of the largest fentanyl cases in the South Texas is facing life in prison for attempting to distribute fentanyl through the Pharr Port of Entry, according to the United States Department of Justice.

Juan Jesus Orozco-Vargas, 38, plead guilty to the attempt and admitted to crossing pallets that contained fentanyl pills.

On April 5, Orozco-Vargas attempted to cross a tractor-trailer containing 24 pallets of limes from Mexico through the Pharr Port of Entry and arrived at a warehouse in McAllen.

According to the U.S. Department of Justice, while warehouse workers were unloading the boxes of limes, a pallet broke, pills stamped "M30" to spill out onto the floor.

Once authorities arrived to the scene, they discovered approximately 1.4 million pills containing 337 pounds of fentanyl.

"At 1.4 million doses, this is one of the largest seizures of fentanyl the Southern District of Texas has prosecuted,” said U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.

Orozco-Vargas attempted to escape but was immediately arrested.

“Removing these deadly pills from the streets of American cities, especially streets that are a few miles away from Mexico, will only save countless lives," Hamdani continued.

Orozco-Vargas will face a U.S. District Judge for his sentencing on Feb. 4, 2025.

He faces up to life in federal prison as well as a $10 million maximum fine.