A Morrisville resident, Julio Cesar Orozco-Gomez, 34, has been sentenced to 20 years in federal prison for his role in distributing methamphetamine and other illegal drugs throughout North Carolina and the Southeast. Orozco-Gomez pleaded guilty to related charges on September 30, 2024.
U.S. Attorney Ellis Boyle commented on the sentencing: “This cartel thug poisoned our communities with meth and fentanyl and armed himself with high-powered weapons to protect his criminal business. Thanks to the work of our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners, we dismantled a cartel pipeline and made North Carolina safer. This case shows that these dangerous drugs are not made in North Carolina, and the Cartel has to work to import this poison. Let me be clear – anyone who participates in such cartel activity will find themselves locked up in federal prison for a long time.”
Court documents revealed that Orozco-Gomez led a group affiliated with the Jalisco New Generation Cartel. The United States designated this organization as a Foreign Terrorist Organization and Specially Designated Global Terrorists in early 2025. Orozco-Gomez operated a liquid conversion lab from his apartment and garage in Morrisville, where he converted liquid methamphetamine smuggled from Mexico into crystal meth using chemicals like acetone. Prosecutors stated that this activity posed significant risks to public safety due to its location in a residential area. During the investigation, Orozco-Gomez reportedly claimed he employed a college-educated chemist for these operations.
Law enforcement officials seized several kilograms of crystal methamphetamine, additional quantities of methamphetamine, marijuana, fentanyl, four firearms, ammunition, and more than $50,000 in cash during their search of his residence.
At sentencing, the presiding Judge described Orozco-Gomez’s operation as a “pipeline” bringing dangerous substances from Mexico into Eastern North Carolina. The Judge also highlighted the “staggering amount” of drugs trafficked by the group as representing “tens of thousands of fatal doses.”
The prosecution was part of Operation Take Back America—a national initiative aimed at combating illegal immigration and dismantling cartels and transnational criminal organizations through coordinated efforts involving the Department of Justice’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kelly L. Sandling and Logan W. Liles prosecuted the case. The investigation involved collaboration between the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), and multiple local law enforcement agencies.
