Federal Indictment of 12 in Fentanyl Case

Twelve men from the Kansas City metropolitan area have been indicted on charges related to a fentanyl distribution conspiracy that resulted in at least one death and involved illegal firearm possession. The indictment, unsealed on September 13, 2024, accuses the defendants of distributing fentanyl since December 2022 and carrying firearms during drug trafficking. Law enforcement executed three search warrants, leading to the seizure of nearly 7,000 fentanyl pills, 11 firearms (including a machine gun), five stolen vehicles, and over $75,000 in cash. Among those indicted, Justin D. Rivera is charged with distributing fentanyl that led to the death of a victim identified as 'M.M.' on May 7, 2023. The defendants face a total of 35 counts, including multiple charges for several individuals related to drug distribution and firearm offenses. This operation highlights ongoing efforts to combat fentanyl trafficking and its associated violence in the region.