“M30 King of Fresno” Has Pleaded Guilty in Fentanyl Case

The “M30 King of Fresno,” Horacio Torrecillas Urias Jr., agreed to plead guilty to fentanyl distribution.

At a Glance

Horacio Torrecillas Urias Jr., known as the “M30 King of Fresno,” pleaded guilty to distributing fentanyl.
The investigation followed multiple fentanyl overdoses linked to counterfeit oxycodone M30 tablets.
“Operation Killer High” was launched to target suppliers of these toxic pills.
Law enforcement seized over 55,000 counterfeit M30 pills and other drugs during the operation.
Torrecillas Urias faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years, with a maximum of life in prison.

The Case of “M30 King of Fresno”

Horacio Torrecillas Urias Jr., a 23-year-old from Fresno, admitted his involvement in distributing fentanyl and conspiring to distribute methamphetamine. The decision follows an extensive investigation initiated after a series of overdoses in Fresno linked to counterfeit oxycodone tablets laced with fentanyl.

The arrest of Torrecillas Urias was part of the broader effort labeled “Operation Killer High,” which seeks to track down the sources and distributors of these deadly counterfeit pills.

The gravity of the situation is underscored by the scale of the operation. Torrecillas Urias led a major drug-trafficking ring that smuggled vast quantities of counterfeit M30 fentanyl pills and other narcotics from suppliers in Mexico. This resulted in significant seizures, including 55,000 pills, 6 pounds of fentanyl powder, 10 pounds of methamphetamine, a pound of cocaine, and numerous firearms, indicating the dangerous extent of the network.

The “M30 King of Fresno” Pleads Guilty https://t.co/oUIKWWXTJz

— EDCAnews (@EDCAnews) September 3, 2024

Impact on Local Communities

The investigation also brought to light the collaboration between several agencies, such as Homeland Security Investigations, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Fresno Police Department. The comprehensive approach underscores the critical need for coordinated efforts to dismantle such threatening drug operations.

“First of all it’s going to save a lot of lives,” said Flindt Andersen, founder of Parents and Addicts In Need, while speaking about Torrecillas Urias’s guilty plea.

Operation Killer High indicted 17 other defendants alongside Torrecillas Urias, with all but one having pleaded guilty. The trial for the remaining defendant, Alma Garza, is scheduled for September 24, 2024. The coordinated offensive against this drug ring is part of Operation Synthetic Opioid Surge (S.O.S.), a federal initiative aimed at reducing the availability of synthetic opioids and identifying distribution networks.

Sentencing and Future Implications

As Torrecillas Urias awaits his sentencing on December 2, 2024, he faces a mandatory minimum prison term of 10 years, but he could be sentenced to life. This outcome could have a significant deterrent effect in the illegal drug community and offer some solace to families affected by fentanyl overdoses.

The arrest and prosecution of Torrecillas Urias and his associates mark a critical step forward in combating the distribution of deadly substances. The impact of fentanyl on communities has been devastating, but coordinated efforts like Operation Killer High provide a glimmer of hope for reducing the prevalence of these drugs and saving lives moving forward.