Texas Men Sentenced After Botched Fentanyl Deal

A pair of Texas residents have been sentenced to years in prison for their involvement in dealing the fatal drug fentanyl. Both men pleaded guilty back in January, but the judge finally delivered their sentence, and it may seem surprising.

Texas Duo Receive Prison Sentence

40-year-old Hernan Cortez and 37-year-old Daniel Elizondo were each sentenced to five years in prison after they were caught attempting to sell the deadly drug.

On August 28, 2024, Cortez drove to Laredo, TX, from Houston while carrying half of a kilogram of fentanyl. You see, he was planning on selling the goods with the assistance of Elizondo.

The next day, Cortez brought the fentanyl to a house they planned on using to stash the illegal drug. Authorities were already on the scene, however, and surveillance showed Elizondo exiting the house with a black bag as he walked into the alleyway. When he returned to the home, he was no longer carrying any bag.

After seeing enough and obtaining a search warrant, authorities scoured the alleyway in attempts of finding what Elizondo clearly went out of his way to hide.

Where Were the Drugs?

Inside of an old tire wheel laying in the alley, 274 grams of fentanyl was found. Elizondo and Cortez were then both arrested and charged with the intent to distribute fentanyl.

Allegedly, Cortez thought it was just cocaine or heroin and tried selling the batch in Houston but couldn't find any buyers since—surprise—it was actually fentanyl.

Hernan Cortez was sentenced to 66 months in prison, while his cohort, Daniel Elizondo will serve 63 months. Upon release, however, both will spend the following four years under supervision.