Guilty Verdict for Transportation of Fentanyl, Drug and Gun Crimes

Late yesterday afternoon in Department 6 of the Tulare County Superior Court, Visalia Division, TCDA prosecutors secured a guilty verdict against Angel Ramiro Pando, age 28, for drug and firearm crimes.

On March 19, 2024, Pando transported approximately 6,000 “M30” counterfeit fentanyl pills to a Visalia UPS store. The pills were destined to a location in the state of Georgia but were intercepted by the Visalia Police Department’s Narcotics Unit. A fingerprint identifying Pando was found on one of the packages containing the pills. In an intensive investigation over the next four months, officers discovered Pando maintained a large marijuana grow in a mobile home in an unincorporated part of Tulare. The marijuana grow contained 350 plants. During the search, officers also located a concealed, unregistered, and loaded firearm near the steering column of Pando’s vehicle.

At trial, Pando was convicted of transportation to sell a controlled substance (fentanyl) with the special allegations that doing so carried the threat of great bodily injury, that the quantity of the contraband was large, and that Pando was on probation (DUI) during the crime. Additionally, he was convicted of carrying a loaded handgun on his person and having a concealed firearm in his vehicle with the special allegations that the firearm was unregistered and that Pando was on probation. Pando was also convicted of maintaining a place for selling a controlled substance, possession of cannabis for sale, and cultivating more than six cannabis plants.

Sentencing is scheduled for January 29, 2026, in Superior Court where Pando faces up to seven years in state prison.

The case was prosecuted by deputy district attorney Max Warren and was investigated by the Visalia Police Department and the United States Drug Enforcement Agency.  

Media inquiries can be directed to the Office of the District Attorney, County of Tulare Communications Director Stuart Anderson (559) 636-5494