Fentanyl Dealer Arrested in Houston Following Joint Operation with DEA

HOUSTON, Texas – On Tuesday, October 28, 2025, deputies with Constable Jerry Garcia’s Special Operations Unit, working alongside the DEA-Galveston Regional Office, arrested 42-year-old Joseph Ray Pittman following a lengthy narcotics investigation.

Pittman was taken into custody in the 8500 block of South Sam Houston Parkway, in a business parking lot, after deputies observed him conducting another suspected drug transaction.

During the arrest, deputies found a concealed firearm on Pittman, which he was carrying without a holster, and a large quantity of narcotics inside his vehicle. Investigators recovered multiple controlled substances, including fentanyl, heroin, powdered and crack cocaine, Xanax, hydrocodone, and carisoprodol (Soma) — all packaged for distribution.

Pittman later cooperated with authorities and revealed additional quantities of fentanyl and several firearms at his residence, which were seized as evidence.

He now faces two counts of Possession of a Controlled Substance with Intent to Distribute and Felon in Possession of a Firearm.

Constable Jerry Garcia thanked the DEA-Galveston Regional Office for its partnership and emphasized his department’s continued commitment to combating illegal narcotics distribution.

“We’ll keep targeting this kind of criminal activity to make a real difference in our communities and get these dangerous drugs off our streets,” Garcia said.