“Conducting investigations into illegal opioid trafficking helps to protect our families, neighbors and communities. This is an ongoing battle and requires local, state and federal agencies working together to investigate, arrest and prosecute offenders.”
– CSLEA President Alan Barcelona
SAN DIEGO – On July 29, 2026, a federal grand jury returned an indictment charging Matthew Ray Calas, 44, of Spring Valley with distributing a powerful synthetic opioid—N-Pyrrolidino Protonitazene—that resulted in the death of a 67-year-old San Diego resident.
According to court records, Calas advertised drugs for sale on Craigslist using coded language. In text messages with the victim, Calas offered to sell the victim “red devil nitazene,” a smokeable crystal powder. The victim was found on the floor holding drug paraphernalia, suggesting he died shortly after ingesting the substance. Three months later, Calas sold more of the “Red Devil” to an undercover law enforcement officer.
Calas is also charged with Possession with Intent to Distribute Fentanyl, Butonitazene, and Methamphetamine; Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Crime; and Felon in Possession of a Firearm and Ammunition.
N-Pyrrolidino Protonitazene (often abbreviated NPP) is a synthetic opioid in the nitazene family. Nitazenes are a class of laboratory-made opioids that were originally developed decades ago in pharmaceutical research but were generally not approved for medical use. Some newer nitazene analogs have emerged in the illicit drug supply and are associated with overdose deaths. It is extremely potent and has opioid effects similar to fentanyl and other powerful opioids.
Special agents and officers with the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Overdose Response Team led the investigation. This case is the result of ongoing efforts by the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the San Diego County District Attorney’s Office, the Drug Enforcement Administration, Homeland Security Investigations, the San Diego Police Department, the La Mesa Police Department, National Guard Counterdrug Task Force, the California Department of Health Care Services, and Naval Criminal Investigative Service to investigate and prosecute the distribution of dangerous illegal drugs—fentanyl in particular—that result in overdose deaths. The Drug Enforcement Administration created the Overdose Response Team as a response to the increase in overdose deaths in San Diego County.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Keith D. Ellison.
DEFENDANT Case Number 25CR4692-DMS
Matthew Ray Calas Age: 44 Spring Valley, CA
SUMMARY OF CHARGES
Counts 1, 2, and 4
Title 21, U.S.C., Secs. 841(a)(l) – Possession with Intent to Distribute Fentanyl, Butonitazine, and Methamphetamine
Maximum Penalty: Twenty years in prison
Count 3
Title 21, U.S.C., Secs. 841(a)(l), (b)(1)(C) – Distribution of N-Pyrrolidino Protonitazene Resulting in Death
Maximum Penalty: Life in prison; Mandatory minimum 20 years
Count 5
Title 18, U.S.C., Sec. 924(c)(l) – Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Crime
Maximum Penalty: Mandatory minimum five years in prison
Count 6
Title 18, U.S.C., Sec. 922(g)(l) – Felon in Possession of a Firearm and Ammunition
Maximum penalty: Ten years in prison
INVESTIGATING AGENCIES
Drug Enforcement Administration
San Diego Police Department
Homeland Security Investigations
California National Guard Counterdrug Task Force
California Department of Health Care Services
La Mesa Police Department
San Diego County District Attorney’s Office
Naval Criminal Investigative Service
*The charges and allegations contained in an indictment or complaint are merely accusations, and the defendants are considered innocent unless and until proven guilty.
