Man found guilty of fentanyl, heroin, cocaine charges

BROWNSVILLE, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A man was found guilty Friday on several charges involving fentanyl, heroin and cocaine.

Gilberto Almaraz-Muniz was found guilty on charges of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute a controlled substance, and three counts of possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance, records show.

An indictment charged Almaraz-Muniz with conspiring with others to possess and distribute 2.2 pounds of a mixture containing heroin, 400 grams of fentanyl and 11 pounds of cocaine.

Additionally, the indictment charged him with possessing 8.6 pounds of cocaine, 6.9 pounds of heroin and 8.4 pounds of fentanyl.

After four days of jury trial, the defense rested. The following day, jurors reached a verdict where they found Almaraz-Muniz guilty on all four counts.

His co-defendant, Jetzrael Saldana, was also facing the same charges. On July 26, 2023, Saldana signed a plea agreement where he pleaded guilty to one of the counts of possession of a controlled substance. He is scheduled to be sentenced May 8.

Almaraz-Muniz's sentencing is scheduled for July 17.