Mexican National Pleads Guilty to Fentanyl Trafficking and Illegal Reentry in Oregon Federal Court

PORTLAND, Ore. — Carlos Baustista-Lopez, a 53-year-old Mexican national unlawfully residing in the United States, pleaded guilty on November 10, 2026, in federal court to charges of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and illegal reentry after removal.

Baustista-Lopez was previously convicted in 2011 in the U.S. District Court for the District of Utah for possession with intent to distribute heroin. He received a 150-month federal prison sentence and was subsequently deported to Mexico in March 2021.

According to U.S. Attorney Scott Bradford, "After serving a lengthy federal prison sentence for heroin trafficking and being removed from the United States, this defendant chose to return illegally and resume trafficking one of the deadliest drugs impacting our communities today. Fentanyl is driving overdose deaths across the country, and we will not tolerate traffickers who endanger our communities while defying our nation's immigration laws."

Beginning in early 2026, investigators from the Multnomah County Sheriff's Office Special Investigations Unit and the FBI conducted three controlled purchases of fentanyl from Baustista-Lopez. These operations culminated on May 20, 2026, when federal agents executed search warrants targeting Baustista-Lopez and his residence.

During the execution of the warrants, agents stopped Baustista-Lopez while he was driving a vehicle previously used in controlled drug transactions. A search of his person yielded approximately $1,942 in U.S. currency. After being advised of his rights, Baustista-Lopez admitted to transporting fentanyl to a customer.

Further searches of the vehicle and his residence uncovered fentanyl concealed inside the vehicle, approximately 194 grams of fentanyl packaged in 17 bags, two money remitter receipts, a drug ledger, an additional cellular phone, and approximately $12,492 in cash.

As part of his plea agreement, Baustista-Lopez admitted responsibility for possessing fentanyl with intent to distribute and agreed that the total drug quantity attributable to him was at least 400 grams of a mixture or substance containing fentanyl. He also acknowledged that he reentered the United States without authorization and was found in Oregon on May 20, 2026, without permission to reapply for admission.

The fentanyl charge carries a mandatory minimum sentence of five years and a maximum of 40 years in federal prison. The illegal reentry charge carries a maximum sentence of 20 years. Baustista-Lopez also agreed to forfeit $14,434 in drug-trafficking proceeds seized during the investigation.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Kemp L. Strickland is prosecuting the case. The investigation was conducted by the FBI and the Multnomah County Sheriff's Office Special Investigations Unit, with assistance from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

This case highlights ongoing federal efforts to combat fentanyl trafficking and enforce immigration laws, particularly involving individuals with prior drug convictions who reenter the United States illegally.

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