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On Feb. 6, a Del Valle man was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison for distributing fake oxycodone pills laced with fentanyl.
The case stemmed from an incident in the fall of 2022, when Hays County Sheriff’s deputies responded to an overdose with a 17-yearold victim. Fortunately, the victim survived. This incident led to an investigation by the Hays County Sheriff’s Office Special Services Division, which identified Gabriel Cecilio Osorio, 22, as a suspect. Mr. Osorio resided in Austin. Deputies then enlisted the help of the DEA and the investigation continued.
Between May and June 2023, Mr. Osorio was investigated for distributing fentanyllaced, fake oxycodone pills. As part of the investigation, Drug Enforcement Administration agents orchestrated two controlled purchases of pills from Osorio, resulting in the acquisition of 100 pills in the first transaction and 3,000 pills in the second.
DEA obtained and executed a search warrant, and on June 22, 2023, Osorio was arrested outside of his residence with approximately 5,000 pills. Inside the home, agents found another 3,700 pills, a money counter, a digital scale, four firearms, and $45,701 in cash.
In addition to the 10-year prison term, Osorio was ordered to forfeit $45,701.00, four firearms, and assorted jewelry that were seized during the search.
“Gabriel Osorio’s sentencing today continues this office’s work to stem the tide in the greater Austin area of the illegal drug distribution of fake pharmaceutical pills containing fentanyl,” said U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza for the Western District of Texas. “Fentanyl poses a significant threat to communities across this district and the United States, and I am grateful to the many federal, state and local law enforcement agencies who join us in prioritizing these very serious drug crimes.”
The Hays County Sheriff’s Office, DEA, Texas Department of Public Safety, Bastrop County Sheriff’s Office, Williamson County Sheriff’s Office, and the Georgetown Police Department investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel Castillo prosecuted the case.
