Los Angeles Man Pleads Guilty To Conspiring With Fort Myers Man To Distribute Methamphetamine And Fentanyl Through The U.S. Mail

Fort Myers, Florida - United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces that Esdras Joel Garcia De La Rosa (28, Los Angeles, CA) has pleaded guilty to conspiracy with the intent to distribute methamphetamine and fentanyl and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl. De La Rosa faces up to life in federal prison. A sentencing date has not yet been set.

According to the plea agreement, De La Rosa conspired with Durand Dijuon Demetiu Colbert (34, Fort Myers) to distribute various controlled substances including methamphetamine and fentanyl. De La Rosa resided in the Los Angeles area and supplied Colbert, a Lee County resident, with controlled substances that were later distributed to others. The controlled substances were sent by De La Rosa in California to Colbert in Lee County through the U.S. mail or other packaging carriers.

During the conspiracy, on November 17, 2023, the Lee County Sheriff's Office executed a search warrant at Colbert's Florida residence and seized approximately 1,700 fentanyl pills, which investigators determined were sent by De La Rosa.

Colbert pleaded guilty to his role in this case on September 16, 2024. His sentencing hearing is scheduled for December 12, 2024.

This case was investigated by the Lee County Sheriff's Office, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Mark Morgan.