PHILADELPHIA, PA — Gabriel Rivera-Otero and Angel Reyes-Valdez have been sentenced to substantial prison terms for their involvement in a large-scale fentanyl distribution network in Philadelphia. United States Attorney Jacqueline C. Romero announced Monday that Rivera-Otero, also known as “Carlos Vasquez,” and Reyes-Valdez, known as “Abel Anton Alberto Nunez,” were handed sentences of 293 months and 300 months, respectively. Both sentences include extended terms of supervised release following their prison terms.
The convictions followed a four-day jury trial in July, where both individuals were found guilty of possessing with intent to distribute significant quantities of fentanyl, as well as maintaining drug-involved premises. Reyes-Valdez was additionally convicted of illegal reentry after deportation, which mandates his deportation following the completion of his sentence.
The case traces back to an operation on October 28, 2020, when DEA agents interrupted a narcotics transaction between Rivera-Otero and Reyes-Valdez in a Philadelphia parking lot. The agents seized six kilograms of fentanyl concealed in a diaper box within Rivera-Otero’s vehicle. This arrest led to further searches of two residences linked to the men, revealing a cache of illegal substances and paraphernalia. Rivera-Otero’s location housed 700 grams of fentanyl, while Reyes-Valdez’s residence contained an alarming 30 kilograms of fentanyl, over 110,000 fentanyl pills, a loaded firearm, and more than $90,000 in cash…