Nicholas J. Ganjei United States Attorney for the Southern District of Texas | U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Texas
Two individuals have admitted to a conspiracy related to the importation of a significant quantity of fentanyl, the U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei announced.
Taneka Desha Felder, 27, from Amarillo, Texas, and Gustavo Morales Aguilar, 40, a naturalized U.S. citizen residing in Dumas, Texas, confessed to their involvement in a drug smuggling operation that took place on December 17, 2024. They traveled into Mexico, where drug smugglers loaded their vehicle with 11.65 kilograms of fentanyl powder. The substances were concealed in a specially-designed compartment within the car.
The pair attempted to return to the United States via the Lincoln Juarez International Bridge. During a secondary inspection, authorities discovered the fentanyl bundles hidden under the car’s center console. The two admitted that the car was purchased specifically for the smuggling operation and that they had planned to deliver the vehicle and drugs to others in Dallas in exchange for payment.
The case will be presided over by U.S. District Judge Diana Saldaña, who will determine sentencing at a future date. Felder and Morales Aguilar face potential sentences of up to life in federal prison and fines reaching $10 million.
The individuals are currently in custody and will remain so until their sentencing. The investigation was conducted by Immigration and Customs Enforcement – Homeland Security Investigations, with assistance from Customs and Border Protection. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jose Homero Ramirez prosecuted the case.
