El Paso man convicted of fentanyl trafficking after DEA investigation

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) -- An El Paso man has been convicted for three counts related to fentanyl trafficking, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Western District of Texas.

The Drug Enforcement Administration investigated 45-year-old Charles Arellano, a fentanyl dealer, USAO said.

During a fentanyl transaction in January 2025, Arellano claimed to have connections with various drug cartels and had been involved in drug dealing for a long time, officials said.

USAO said he fled to Mexico in early 2025. Mexican authorities apprehended him in June 2025 and returned him to the U.S.

He was indicted in July 2025 with Yvonne Beltran-Leyva, USAO said.

Beltran-Leyva pleaded guilty in October 2025. She received a 108-month federal prison sentence in April for her involvement in the fentanyl trafficking conspiracy.

Arellano's sentencing date hasn't been set yet. USAO said he faces five to 40 years in federal prison.