Mexican national indicted for having nearly half a kilo of deadly opioids

A Mexican national was indicted for having nearly half a kilogram of deadly opioids.

Jesus Usbaldo Ballardo Garcia, 22, was indicted on one count each of possession with the intent to distribute heroin, possession with the intent to distribute fentanyl, and possession of 4-ANPP knowing and having reasonable cause to believe it would be used to manufacture fentanyl.

Garcia on Aug. 1 possessed approximately 571 grams of heroin, 224 grams of fentanyl and 187 grams of 4-ANPP, an immediate precursor to fentanyl, according to the indictment.

If convicted, the defendant’s sentence will be determined by the Court after reviewing factors unique to this case, including the defendant’s prior criminal record, if any, the defendant’s role in the offense and the characteristics of the violation. In all cases, the sentence will not exceed the statutory maximum and in most cases, it will be less than the maximum.

The investigating agency in this case is the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Alissa M. Sterling and Tracey Ballard Tangeman are handling the case.

An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. Defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.