Laredo dealer set to appear for fentanyl-related death

LAREDO, Texas – A federal grand jury has returned an indictment against a 31-year-old resident of Laredo for distributing fentanyl which caused the death of another person, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.

Kevin Ramirez is set to make his initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Christopher dos Santos at 9:30 a.m. Authorities took him into custody Jan. 5.

The two-count indictment, returned Dec. 27, 2023, alleges Ramirez distributed fentanyl, a schedule II controlled substance, to another individual May 13, 2023. That person subsequently died after using the drug, according to the charges.

Ramirez is also charged with one count of possession with the intent to distribute fentanyl.

If convicted of the distribution resulting in death charge, Ramirez faces a minimum of 20 years and up life in federal prison. The other count carries a possible sentence of up to 20 years. He may also be ordered to pay a possible $1 million maximum fine.

The Drug Enforcement Administration, Laredo Police Department, Homeland Security Investigations, Customs and Border Protection, Border Patrol and Webb County Sheriff’s Office conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian Bajew is prosecuting the case.

This case is being prosecuted as part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF is the largest anti-crime task force in the country. OCDETF identifies, disrupts and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found on the Department of Justice’s OCDETF webpage.

More information on the dangers of fentanyl can be found on the DEA’s website. #OnePillCanKill

An indictment is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence. A defendant is presumed innocent unless convicted through due process of law.