Undocumented Alien Living In Hickory Convicted Of Drug Trafficking

A man living in Hickory and tied to a meth trafficking operation in western North Carolina have been sentenced to federal prison.

U.S. Attorney Russ Ferguson says 42-year-old Lorenzo Lemus-Orozco conspired to distribute large amounts of methamphetamine across Catawba, Caldwell, and Watauga Counties.

Investigators say he led an elaborate operation, which has links to the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, or CJNG. Authorities conducted multiple controlled buys during the investigation.

In December 2024, a traffic stop in Caldwell County led to the seizure of nearly half a kilogram of meth. After that seizure, Lemus-Orozco fled to Mexico but returned in early 2025, where he was taken into custody. A search of his Hickory residence uncovered more drugs, cash, firearms, and items tied to CJNG.

Lemus-Orozco received 140 months in Federal Prison. He will be deported after serving his sentence.