Texas woman sentenced to probation in fentanyl-trafficking operation

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — A 74-year-old Texas woman has been sentenced for her part in a fentanyl-trafficking conspiracy, according to Acting U.S. Attorney Sara Miron Bloom.

Patricia Parker of Austin will serve two years’ probation and nine months of home confinement after pleading guilty to charges of trafficking the drug “for an extended timeframe.”

She pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court to charges of conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and distribution of over 310 grams of fentanyl in May. 

This amount of fentanyl represents approximately 150,000 lethal doses.

Parker was identified as a fentanyl-trafficking suspect in May of 2022 after she sold fentanyl-laced counterfeit  amphetamine pills to an undercover FDA agent.

A 10-month undercover investigation culminated with the execution of search warrant at her home.

Parker was found in possession of more 18,000 pills including Schedule II and IV controlled substances.

More counterfeit amphetamine pills containing fentanyl were also among those seized in the operation.

Investigators learned that Parker had distributed more than 1,000 parcels of suspected illegal drugs.