Illegal Immigrant With Deportation Order Sold Fentanyl To Students Who Later Overdosed

An illegal immigrant from El Salvador allegedly sold fentanyl to students near a high school in Virginia who later overdosed from the narcotic.

Isaac Melendez-Carranza, 31, allegedly sold the pills to Park View High School students who overdosed in May, authorities said. At the time, he already had a deportation order, which an immigration judge issued on July 18, 2024, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) told The Daily Wire.

The two students survived the overdoses after receiving doses of the opioid antidote Narcan.

Border agents caught Melendez-Carranza when he crossed the Rio Grande near Hebbronville, Texas, in May 2016, DHS said. He bonded out of federal custody in July 2016 before going on to allegedly commit his latest crimes.

On Thursday, local authorities arrested Melendez-Carranza following the execution of search warrants where they seized suspected narcotics and cash, the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement.

“We found that the subject in question, Isaac Melendez-Carranza, actually had over 100 fentanyl pills with him at the time, in addition to several thousand dollars,” Loudoun County Sheriff Mike Chapman told News4. “So, looked to me like he was getting ready to do another delivery to somebody.”

“He came in the country illegally 10 years ago, and so you know, had that not happened, maybe this would have never happened. So, just so you know, DHS – there’s a detainer on him,” Chapman said.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) lodged a detainer with the Loudoun County Jail on Thursday, asking local authorities to hand the Salvadoran national over to the feds if he is to be released. The Trump administration has faced challenges in working with local authorities in Virginia to arrest illegal immigrants accused of crimes and has blamed the commonwealth’s Democratic governor, Abigail Spanberger, for enacting sanctuary policies.

“ICE will work to ensure this criminal is REMOVED from our nation,” DHS said in an X post on Monday.

Following Melendez-Carranza’s arrest, the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office warned the public that “one pill can be deadly” and that “fentanyl is an extremely potent synthetic opioid, and even a small amount can cause a fatal overdose.”

“Illicit pills and powders may contain fentanyl without the user’s knowledge, making experimentation or taking a pill obtained from an unknown source especially dangerous,” the sheriff’s office said.

“Parents, caregivers, and students are encouraged to talk openly about the dangers of illicit drugs and counterfeit pills. If you suspect someone is experiencing an overdose, call 911 immediately,” the office added.

Melendez-Carranza is charged with two counts of distribution of a controlled substance and one count of sale of drugs near certain properties. He is being held without bond.