An illegal alien, who authorities say concealed kilos of fentanyl within a diaper box and firearms beneath a bed, now faces federal charges. Alexis Carreon Bocanegra, a Mexican national found in the U.S. without legal documentation, was caught in a sting that supposedly saw him in the act of drug trafficking and weapon possession.
In a recent surge to combat narcotics distribution, DEA agents claim to have observed Bocanegra managing near to $400,000 in suspected drug proceeds. The evidence purportedly continued to mount when, in March, Bocanegra was allegedly caught distributing a package containing about a kilogram of fentanyl, according to a statement obtained by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Georgia.
Upon his arrest on Monday, investigators searched Bocanegra's Stone Mountain home where they found two firearms, one being an AR-15 rifle, strategically hidden. Even more alarming, agents discovered roughly 5.5 kilograms of fentanyl stashed within a Huggies diaper box located in a shed nearby.
Bocanegra has since been charged with intent to distribute fentanyl and possession of a firearm by an illegal alien. The U.S. Attorney Theodore S. Hertzberg commented, "Thanks to the diligent investigation of our law enforcement partners, Bocanegra is now in federal custody. His fentanyl will never hit the streets, and his guns will no longer threaten the safety our community," as reported by the U.S. Attorney's Office. Moreover, DEA Acting Special Agent Jae W. Chung underscored the perils of this crime combination, stating, "Fentanyl is a poison that continues to claim lives, and combining it with firearms only increases the danger."
Currently in federal custody without bail, Bocanegra awaits trial, where the government bears the burden to prove his guilt beyond reasonable doubt. The U.S. Attorney’s Office implores parents and children to educate themselves on the dangers of drugs, recommending the website www.justthinktwice.gov for more information.
The case against Bocanegra is a part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide drive to tackle illegal immigration, dismantle cartels, and secure communities against violence. This case brings together the Department of Justice's resources, including the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces and Project Safe Neighborhood. Assistant United States Attorney James Hwang is prosecuting the case.
