A Houston resident has pleaded guilty to distributing counterfeit pills containing fentanyl that led to the deaths of two people in different states, according to U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei.
Antonio Curo, 25, admitted to sending the drugs through the U.S. mail to buyers across the country. In one case, he provided counterfeit pills directly to a 16-year-old girl in Houston who died after taking them. Her father found her deceased with an “M-30” pill in a small orange plastic bag nearby; laboratory analysis confirmed it contained fentanyl.
Curo also acknowledged responsibility for the death of a 24-year-old man in Connecticut. The victim had ordered pills via social media and instant messaging services; Curo mailed them, and the victim’s girlfriend saw him receive and ingest the pills before dying.
Curo admitted he was aware of both deaths and knew he was selling fentanyl.
“Curo knowingly distributed counterfeit pills laced with fentanyl, showing a complete disregard for the law and human life,” said Ganjei. “The facts are incredibly clear: one pill can kill. Now, two more young lives have been lost to this scourge, and two families will endure a lifetime of grief all because a criminal placed money before morality. My office will always protect the families within the Southern District of Texas by aggressively prosecuting those who seek to poison our community.”
U.S. District Judge Alfred H. Bennett accepted Curo’s plea and scheduled sentencing for April 30. Curo faces at least 20 years and up to life in federal prison, as well as a possible $10 million fine.
The investigation involved several agencies including the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Immigration and Customs Enforcement - Homeland Security Investigations, partner agencies from Vermont and Iowa, USPIS – Office of Inspector General, Fort Bend County Sheriff’s Office, Fort Bend County Narcotics Task Force, Houston Police Department and Harris County Sheriff’s Office.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Anibal J. Alaniz and Casey N. MacDonald are prosecuting the case.
