Man Transporting Millions Of Fentanyl Doses Sentenced

DERBY, CT — A man who was caught transporting 25 kilograms of fentanyl in Derby was sentenced to 30 months in prison.

Law enforcement stopped a tractor-trailer that was being driven by Erick Crespo-Escalante, 49, of Arizona on Route 34 in Derby in December 2016. The powerful synthetic opioid was found in the cab of the tractor-trailer.

A two milligram dose of fentanyl is lethal for most people, according to the Drug Enforcement Agency.

Crespo-Escalante was transporting the drug for his associate Omar Villarreal from California to Waterbury, according to the U.S. Attorney District of Connecticut office.

Crespo-Escalante pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and to distribute, fentanyl. He is a citizen of Mexico and a lawful permanent resident of the U.S. He will face immigration proceedings after serving his prison sentence.

Villarreal pleaded guilty to one count of aiding and abetting the possession of fentanyl with intent to distribute, and one count of traveling in interstate commerce to promote an unlawful activity. He is due to be sentenced May 8.