Albert Anthony Rios, a bi-coastal narcotics trafficker, was sentenced to 135 months in federal prison for distributing large quantities of fentanyl, which he transported from California to Washington, D.C., the U.S. Attorney’s Office announced on Friday.
Rios, from both the District of Columbia and California, pleaded guilty to conspiracy charges related to distributing over 400 grams of fentanyl and cocaine. The case was the result of a complex investigation involving multiple law enforcement agencies. He faces more than a decade in prison and five years of supervised release after his sentence.
The crackdown on Rios’ operation was a joint effort, U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro said, involving the DEA and the FBI’s Washington Division. Investigators used various techniques, including monitoring suspicious FedEx shipments, which led to the discovery of narcotics. These included significant amounts of fentanyl pills and cocaine, which were traced back to Rios.
Investigators established definitive links between Rios and his drug trafficking network. They connected his phone number to individuals transporting narcotics to the D.C. area. Search warrants uncovered substantial evidence, including kilos of cocaine, thousands of fentanyl pills, and large sums of cash, revealing the full scope of Rios’ illicit activities.
Rios’ conviction and sentencing resulted from coordinated efforts by the DEA, FBI, Virginia State Police, Montgomery County Police, Orange County Sheriff’s Office, and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. Assistant U.S. Attorney Nihar Mohanty, who handled the prosecution, noted the extensive law enforcement collaboration.
