A Colombian man suspected of running an international drug ring while behind bars in Quebec has been arrested.
U.S. federal authorities announced on Tuesday that Daniel Vivas Ceron, 34, was taken into custody in Panama City, Panama on July 17 and charged with series of drug offences surrounding the smuggling and distribution of fentanyl into the country.
Vivas Ceron appeared in a Panamanian court three days later and is awaiting extradition to the U.S.
According to the U.S. National Institute on Drug Abuse, fentanyl is a "powerful synthetic opiate analgesic similar to but more potent than morphine."
Court documents show that Vivas Ceron operated the criminal enterprise while imprisoned at the Drummond Institution in Drummondville, Que.
Authorities allege that he was distributing fentanyl, and other similar substances, from Canada and China into Florida, North Dakota and Oregon.
Prison officials allegedly recovered a phone, SIM cards and documents connected to drug deliveries sent to undercover U.S. agents in a search of Vivas Ceron's cell on June 3.
He was deported from Canada earlier this month before his arrest in Panama City.
Investigators said his efforts resulted in "serious bodily injury and death" and, if convicted, Vivas Ceron could potentially face life in prison without parole.
"The illegal distribution of fentanyl, as the number of drug overdoses tied to this investigation show, has wreaked havoc across the country," said lawyer Billy J. Williams, who is representing the District of Oregon, in a statement.
Vivas Ceron's arrest was co-ordinated by the Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Force as part of its "Operation Denial," which is charged with probing the international trade of fentanyl and other lethal drugs.
At least nine other people have been charged in the probe including Portland, Ore., native Brandon Hubbard, 40. Hubbard allegedly told authorities that he could be the largest fentanyl dealer in the U.S.
An affidavit says that Hubbard told agents in November that he received fentanyl citrate in FedEx packages from China after making a purchase from a Canadian source. Court documents show that he bought about $1.5 million worth of drugs that month.
Hubbard has pleaded not guilty to five charges and his trial is set for Sept. 15.
The investigation was triggered as a response to the overdose death of North Dakota native Bailey Henke, 18, in January. Authorities say at least two other people have died.
The task force also received aid from other national and international agencies.
"The co-operation of law enforcement in North Dakota, Oregon, Florida and Canada has been exemplary in this case -- these agencies worked tirelessly as one unit to target, identify and dismantle this organization in an effort to prevent additional deaths," said lawyer Chris Myers.
With files from The Canadian Press
