Honduran Man Sentenced to 10 Years for Possessing Massive Fentanyl Stash in Portland
PORTLAND, Ore. — A Honduran national living in Portland has been sentenced to 10 years in federal prison and five years of supervised release after he was found in possession of nearly 16 pounds of powdered fentanyl and nearly 60,000 fentanyl pills, according to a news release from the Oregon U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Juan Jose Varela-Espinoza (31) was arrested when members of the Multnomah County Dangerous Drug Team (DDT) assisted the U.S. Marshals Service in July 2023 for an outstanding felony warrant on the Honduran for the distribution of dangerous drugs in Colorado.
Drug Stash, Cash and a Firearm Uncovered at His Residence
A search warrant was executed on Varela-Espinoza’s Portland residence and vehicles, during which nearly 16 pounds of powdered fentanyl, 57,700 fentanyl pills, a stolen firearm, $5,042 in cash, two pill press machines, and ammunition, were uncovered.
A federal grand jury in Portland returned a three-count indictment charging Varela-Espinoza with conspiracy to possess and possessing fentanyl with the intent to distribute, and the possession of a firearm on 8 August 2023.
He pleaded guilty to possessing fentanyl with the intent to distribute at a hearing on 10 December 2024.
Members of the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office, Multnomah County Parole and Probation, Gresham Police Department, the FBI, and USMS comprise the Multnomah County DDT, and they are supported by the Oregon-Idaho High-Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA).
The case was prosecuted by Kemp L. Strickland, Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon.