The Visalia Police Department's narcotics unit intercepted about 6,000 “M30” counterfeit fentanyl pills bound for Georgia and valued at $60,000, at a Visalia UPS store in March 2024. The seizure led to the conviction of Angel Ramiro Pando, 29. (Tulare County DA's Office)
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Thousands of M30 counterfeit fentanyl pills, a large cannabis grow, an illegal gun, and a fingerprint are sending a 29-year-old Tulare County man to state prison for nearly six years.
Angel Ramiro Pando
— Sentenced to five years, eight months in prison
Angel Ramiro Pando received a sentence of five years and eight months on Wednesday, April 22. The sentencing followed his January jury conviction on drug and firearms charges.
According to court records, on March 19, 2024, Pando transported about 6,000 “M30” counterfeit fentanyl pills, valued at $60,000, to a Visalia UPS store.
However, the Visalia Police Department’s narcotics unit intercepted the Georgia-bound pills and identified Pando by a fingerprint on a package.
Investigation Widens
Over the next four months, officers discovered that Pando was growing 350 marijuana plants at a mobile home. During the search, officers found an unregistered loaded firearm near the steering column of Pando’s vehicle.
“Had this crime been committed after the passage of Proposition 36, the defendant would face an additional seven years behind bars for that amount of deadly fentanyl,” Tulare County District Attorney Tim Ward said in a news release.
“This conviction is a great example of the collaboration between law enforcement and prosecutors to keep our communities safe.”
Deputy DA Max Warren prosecuted the case, and Visalia police and the DEA investigated it.
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