A Laredo man is facing federal charges for his alleged involvement in drug trafficking and illegal firearm possession. The 39-year-old Rolando Soliz, previously convicted felon, was charged with conspiracy to distribute and distribution of fentanyl, not to mention charges for being a felon in possession of a firearm and possession of a machine gun, according to an indictment released by U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.
The announcement released yesterday outlines a federal grand jury’s decision to indict Soliz, who has been in custody since August 1 following the initial criminal complaint. He’s expected to be arraigned on the indictment charges imminently. During a two-day period, Soliz was the subject of law enforcement surveillance that reportedly observed him partake in numerous narcotics transactions.
One individual, purportedly a customer of Soliz, was stopped, searched, and arrested for possession of fentanyl. This individual has claimed to have purchased fentanyl from Soliz in the past. Moreover, during earlier incidents, he allegedly witnessed large quantities of the drug in Soliz’s residence. On July 31, searches executed at multiple properties associated with Soliz resulted in the seizure of 10 firearms, including a modified short-barrel rifle designed to operate as a machine gun, according to authorities.
The seized items did not just include firearms. Law enforcement also discovered approximately 25 grams of fentanyl and confiscated $16,311 in U.S. currency. Given his status as a convicted felon, Soliz is legally barred from possessing any firearms or ammunition. If found guilty on all counts, he faces a substantial period in federal prison – up to 20 years – and a fine that could reach $1 million.
The Drug Enforcement Administration led the investigation, with support from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Customs and Border Protection, and local Webb County law enforcement bodies. The prosecution is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew P. Hakala-Finch.
