TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier announced that a man has been sentenced to 30 years in prison for trafficking fentanyl into the United States.
Cesar Caldera-Garcia, 40, was convicted following an investigation into a drug trafficking organization operating out of Mexico. Authorities said he previously had a federal conviction in 2006 for smuggling people into the U.S.
According to investigators with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, the case began in November 2023 as an undercover operation targeting a group believed to be smuggling fentanyl across the southern border.
Officials said the organization planned to distribute large quantities of fentanyl in Florida, including more than 10 kilograms of fentanyl powder and approximately 50,000 fentanyl pills. Caldera-Garcia traveled to Florida to establish a distribution network, with plans to sell three kilograms of fentanyl powder and 20,000 pills.
Investigators confirmed his identity using a California driver’s license. He was later arrested by U.S. Customs and Border Protection and charged with trafficking in fentanyl and conspiracy to traffic fentanyl, both involving more than 28 grams.
A jury found Caldera-Garcia guilty on all counts April 22. He was sentenced the same day by Judge Frederick Mercurio to 30 years in the Florida Department of Corrections.
The case was prosecuted by the Office of Statewide Prosecution in the Twelfth Judicial Circuit.
Officials said the sentence reflects the seriousness of fentanyl trafficking and the ongoing effort to combat illegal drug distribution in the state.