AUSTIN — Thirteen people, including a Live Oak man, have been arrested for allegedly distributing fentanyl, the U.S. Attorney’s Office announces.

According to court documents, Marcos Garcia, 18, of Somerton, AZ; Oliver Garcia, 20, of Lockhart; Christopher Brook, 23, of Austin; Jaime Cabrales, 23, of Austin; Matthew Juan, 19, of Austin; Adi Martinez Marquez, 19, of Austin; Andrew Ruben Ramirez, 23, of Austin; Ezequiel Azmitia-Jimenez, 19, of Lockhart; Michael Bauman, 18, of Austin; Daemon Lye Garcia, 19, of San Marcos; Ernest Ochoa, 18, of Austin; and Josue Nolasco-Campuzano, 20, of Live Oak, were arrested on charges of distributing fentanyl in the Austin area.

“This operation demonstrates this Office’s commitment to the disruption and prosecution of criminal organizations destroying communities through the distribution of deadly counterfeit prescriptions laced with fentanyl,” said U. S. Attorney Ashley C. Hoff. “We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to contront this escalating problem.”

The U.S. Attorney’s Office says Marcos Garcia, Oliver Garcia, Brook, Cabrales, Juan, Marquez, Ramirez and Azmitia are charged by federal indictment with one count of conspiracy to distribute fentanyl.

They face up to life in prison if convicted.

Bauman, Daemon Garcia, Ochoa and Nolasco are charged by federal criminal complaint of possessing with intent to distribute fentanyl. If convicted, they also each face up to life in prison.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office says the DEA, FBI, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and the Austin, Cedar Park, San Angelo, and San Marcos Police Departments are investigating the case.

Written by SBG San Antonio