ICE, DEA Bust Fentanyl Dealer After Two Brothers Die
Two brothers in Portland died after taking counterfeit pills laced with fentanyl. The woman who sold those pills just received a 100-month federal prison sentence. For immigrants, this case is a stark reminder: a drug conviction in the US can cost you not just your freedom — but your right to stay in the country.
Woman Sentenced for Selling Fentanyl That Killed Two Brothers
Alondra Stephanie Trujillo, 34, of Vancouver, Washington, was sentenced to 100 months — about eight years — in federal prison for distributing fentanyl. The pills she sold killed two brothers in Portland, Oregon. She also received three years of supervised release and must pay $6,349 in restitution to the victims' family.
According to court documents, on July 12, 2020, the two brothers were found dead from accidental fentanyl overdose. Their mother and first responders tried to save them but could not. Investigators found that Trujillo had sold them counterfeit pills containing fentanyl the day before they died. A federal grand jury indicted her in October 2023. She pleaded guilty in May 2025.
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The case was investigated by ICE Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the DEA, and several local police departments including the Woodburn Police Department in Oregon. Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid 80 to 100 times stronger than morphine. Just 2 milligrams — a few grains — can kill an average adult. Oregon has seen a sharp rise in overdose deaths linked to illicit fentanyl.
Why This Matters for Immigrants
For immigrants living in the US, a federal drug conviction — even for a non-violent offense — can have serious immigration consequences. A drug-related felony can trigger removal proceedings (the legal process to deport someone), make a person ineligible for a green card, and bar them from many forms of immigration relief. ICE often places immigration detainers on people convicted of drug crimes, meaning they can be taken into immigration custody after finishing their criminal sentence.
What to Do
- If you or someone you know faces drug charges: Contact an immigration lawyer immediately — before entering any guilty plea. A criminal defense attorney and an immigration attorney should both review your case.
- If ICE contacts you after a criminal case: You have the right to remain silent and the right to speak with a lawyer. Do not sign any documents without legal advice.
- If you receive a removal order: You have 30 days to appeal the order to the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA). Missing this deadline can end your options.
- If you are detained by ICE: Ask about an immigration bond hearing. A judge can set a bond that allows you to be released while your case continues.
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A federal drug distribution conviction — especially one involving a death — is considered an aggravated felony under US immigration law, which makes deportation nearly automatic and bars most forms of relief including asylum and cancellation of removal. If you are a non-citizen facing any drug charge, you must consult an immigration attorney before your criminal case is resolved, because the immigration consequences can be permanent and irreversible. Do not rely on a criminal defense attorney alone — seek an immigration law consultation as soon as possible.