A federal jury in Tampa has convicted Lorenzo Valerio-Popoca, a 31-year-old Mexican national, on two counts of conspiring to traffic methamphetamine. The conviction follows evidence that Valerio-Popoca organized and managed the delivery of significant quantities of methamphetamine in Hillsborough and Manatee counties.
Testimony at the trial showed that Valerio-Popoca arranged for half a kilogram of methamphetamine to be delivered in Palmetto on January 29, 2018. He also coordinated the delivery of two kilograms of methamphetamine in Sun City Center on March 30, 2018. Authorities recovered both amounts during their investigations.
Valerio-Popoca evaded law enforcement for several years before being apprehended in November 2022 in Pasadena, Texas. At the time of his arrest, he was found trafficking ten kilograms of methamphetamine.
United States Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe stated: "A federal jury has found Lorenzo Valerio-Popoca (31, Mexico) guilty of two counts of conspiring to traffic methamphetamine. Valerio-Popoca faces a minimum of 10 years, up to life, in federal prison on each count. His sentencing hearing is set for October 29, 2025."
The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration with support from local sheriff’s offices in Hillsborough and Manatee counties as well as the Pasadena Police Department in Texas. Assistant United States Attorney David J. Pardo is prosecuting the case.
