The Honduran government has extradited Gustavo Erazo to the United States, where he faces charges related to a conspiracy to distribute fentanyl, heroin, and cocaine in the San Francisco Bay Area. This marks the sixth extradition of an alleged drug trafficker from Honduras to the Northern District of California this year.

Erazo, 49, was indicted by a federal grand jury on January 5, 2023. At that time, he was living in Oakland. He and two other defendants were charged with conspiring to distribute fentanyl and possessing fentanyl, heroin, and cocaine with intent to distribute. Erazo is named in four out of eight counts in the indictment.

According to court documents, Erazo was arrested in November 2022 outside an apartment in Berkeley, California. Law enforcement found nearly four pounds of suspected drugs on him at the time of his arrest. Inside the apartment, officers discovered approximately 21 pounds of suspected drugs along with drug manufacturing equipment, firearms, ammunition, and cash.

After being charged in federal court, Erazo reportedly traveled back to Honduras. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs coordinated with Honduran authorities and the DEA for his arrest and extradition. Erazo returned to the United States on December 19, 2024.

Erazo appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Sallie Kim for arraignment today. A status hearing is scheduled before U.S. Magistrate Judge Lisa J. Cisneros on December 23, 2024.

If convicted on Counts 1 and 2—conspiracy and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl—Erazo could face life imprisonment and a $10 million fine per count. Counts 3 and 4 carry a maximum sentence of 40 years each along with fines up to $5 million per count.

The announcement came from United States Attorney Ismail J. Ramsey and DEA Special Agent in Charge Bob P. Beris. Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicholas Parker is leading the prosecution with support from Jessie Chelsea and Linda Love as part of an investigation by the DEA aided by the San Francisco Police Department.

An indictment indicates charges have been filed but does not establish guilt; all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.