Horacio Torrecillas Urias Jr., 24, of Fresno, was sentenced Monday to 23 years and one month in prison on drug trafficking charges.

Acting U.S. Attorney Michele Beckwith announced the sentence in a news release.

Torrecillas Urias received the sentence after previously pleading guilty to distribution, conspiracy, and possession charges involving methamphetamine and fentanyl.

Operation High Killer

According to court documents, the investigation began after a series of fentanyl pill overdoses in the Fresno area. These overdoses were caused by counterfeit oxycodone M30 tablets containing fentanyl, referred to on the street as M30s, prosecutors said.

The investigation, dubbed “Operation Killer High,” targeted the drug dealers believed to have supplied the toxic pills that caused the spike in fentanyl-related overdoses. The operation uncovered a large drug-trafficking ring led by Torrecillas Urias, the self-proclaimed “M30 king of Fresno.”

During the investigation, federal, state, and local law enforcement agents conducted traffic stops, intercepted packages, and executed residential search warrants. They recovered more than  55,000 fentanyl pills, 6 pounds of fentanyl powder, 10 pounds of methamphetamine, a pound of cocaine, 25 firearms, and hundreds of rounds of ammunition.

Operation Killer High produced three federal cases charging a total of 20 defendants. All but one pleaded guilty. The remaining defendant, Alma Garza, was found guilty in September 2024 after a four-day jury trial. She is set for sentencing on Feb. 24, 2025.