Modesto man sentenced to more than 11 years in federal fentanyl, gun case
A Modesto man was sentenced Monday to more than 11 years in federal prison for his role in a fentanyl and firearms trafficking conspiracy in Stanislaus County, according to federal prosecutors.
Oleg Arreola, 28, received a sentence of 11 years and three months from U.S. District Judge Troy L. Nunley in federal court in Fresno. Arreola had pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm connected to a drug trafficking conspiracy, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of California said in a news release.
The case stems from Operation Blue Death, a multi-agency investigation into fentanyl distribution and illegal firearm trafficking in Stanislaus County between September 2022 and June 2023, prosecutors said.
Investigators said the conspiracy involved criminals distributing thousands of fentanyl pills and firearms throughout the region.
According to court records, authorities arrested Arreola and several co-defendants on June 13, 2023, when they arrived at a location for a prearranged purchase of 50,000 fentanyl pills.
Officers arrested four suspects shortly after they arrived.
Authorities said Arreola brought an AK-style Draco rifle to the planned drug deal and had it at his feet when he was taken into custody. Investigators also found about 30,000 fentanyl pills inside a briefcase in a vehicle belonging to co-defendant Enrique Cruz DeLeon.
Federal prosecutors said the broader investigation uncovered multiple drug and gun transactions, including one instance in April 2023 in which thousands of fentanyl pills and a Draco-style firearm were sold.
Seven individuals were charged in a 17-count federal indictment related to the trafficking operation.
Other defendants in the case include:
- Arturo Madrid, 29, of Modesto, who pleaded guilty to distributing fentanyl and possessing a firearm as a felon. He was sentenced in November to 11 years and three months in prison.
- Enrique Cruz DeLeon, 28, of Salida, who pleaded guilty to possessing with intent to distribute 30,000 fentanyl pills and was sentenced in April to 11 years and three months in prison.
- Ebony Lambert, 48, of Turlock, who pleaded guilty to distributing fentanyl and was sentenced in August to two years in prison.
- Donnell Mays, 50, of Turlock, who pleaded guilty to distributing fentanyl and is scheduled to be sentenced July 13. Prosecutors said he faces a mandatory minimum of 10 years to life in prison.
Two other defendants, Andrew Madrid and Andrew Rodriguez, are scheduled to go to trial Sept. 22, according to prosecutors.
The investigation was conducted by the Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Office and the FBI, with assistance from federal and regional law enforcement partners.
This story was originally published March 10, 2026 at 1:48 PM.
