United States Drug Enforcement Administration

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Alfredo Sanchez, 43, of Madera, was sentenced yesterday to seven years in prison for possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert and Drug Enforcement Administration Acting Special Agent in Charge Bob P. Beris announced.

According to court documents, Sanchez provided his co-defendant, Saybyn Borges, 30, of Reno, Nevada, with 493 fake oxycodone pills that contained fentanyl. On May 21, 2018, Borges then sold those fentanyl pills to a confidential source working with law enforcement in Placer County. On June 7, 2018, Borges was arrested in possession of an additional 3,440 counterfeit oxycodone pills laced with fentanyl that he had received from Sanchez. Sanchez had provided Borges 7,000 fentanyl pills for redistribution, but prior to Borges’ arrest, Borges destroyed half of the pills by throwing them out a car window during a high-speed chase with law enforcement in San Joaquin County. During a search of Sanchez’s residence, law enforcement seized four firearms and multiple high-capacity magazines. Sanchez, who had previously been convicted of a federal drug trafficking felony, was prohibited from possessing firearms.

This case was the product of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the California Highway Patrol. Assistant U.S. Attorney Cameron L. Desmond prosecuted the case.

On Feb. 4, 2021, Borges, was sentenced to 10 years and one month in prison for conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute fentanyl.