Two arrested with 12 pounds of fentanyl pills sentenced to 8 years

Two Auburn men were sentenced to eight years, three in custody and five on strict mandatory supervision, on May 3 for transporting fentanyl into Placer County. Brigido Simon Lopez Beltran, 28, and Joaquin Mardueno, 33, were arrested Aug. 29, 2022, following a traffic stop in the area of Interstate 80 and Maple Street in Auburn, where K-9 Ruger alerted to the driver's side of the car. Five packages - lined with foil, vacuum-sealed with plastic and each containing 10,000 fentanyl pills (or fentapills) - were revealed, along with other items, during a search of the vehicle and each defendant's persons. According to the Placer County District Attorney's Office, both defendants said they were each paid $1,000 to pick up the pills from Los Angeles and drive them back to Rocklin. Lopez Beltran and Mardueno were given an advisement stating if they sell fentanyl or any other controlled substance laced with the opioid in the future and the sale results in a death, they may be charged with murder. According to the DA's Office, this advisement is legally similar to a Watson advisement, which is given to drivers convicted of driving under the influence and creates a legal record stating the defendant is aware of the danger their actions pose to others. Lopez Beltran remains in custody in Placer County with a projected release date of Feb. 26, 2024. Mardueno also remains in custody in Placer with a projected release date of Feb. 23, 2024.