PHOENIX, Ariz. — Yvette Porras-Ochoa, 42, of Wittmann, Arizona, has been sentenced to 15 years in federal prison for her role as the head of a drug trafficking organization responsible for distributing large quantities of cocaine and prescription drugs.
United States District Judge Steven P. Logan handed down the sentence last week after Porras-Ochoa pleaded guilty in August to charges including conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine, prescription controlled substances (oxycodone and promethazine-codeine), and conspiracy to commit money laundering.
Sophisticated Drug Trafficking Operation
Porras-Ochoa used the authorization of an Arizona-licensed medical practitioner to fraudulently obtain prescription drugs. She then recruited individuals to pick up these prescriptions from Arizona pharmacies. Once acquired, the drugs—including promethazine-codeine, tramadol, and midazolam—were sold alongside cocaine to out-of-state customers.
The investigation revealed that she laundered proceeds from the drug sales through various methods, including real estate transactions, to avoid detection.
Key Findings and Seizures
The year-and-a-half-long investigation connected Porras-Ochoa to significant drug quantities, including:
- 884.2 grams of oxycodone
- 33,330 units of promethazine-codeine
- 4,690 units of alprazolam
- 27,200 units of tramadol
- 63,900 units of midazolam
- 2.96 kilograms of cocaine
OCDETF Operation
This case was part of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) initiative, which targets high-level drug traffickers and transnational criminal organizations. The prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven approach involves federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies working collaboratively to dismantle criminal networks.
Collaborative Efforts
The investigation involved multiple agencies, including the Drug Enforcement Administration, Homeland Security Investigations, the United States Postal Service, the Arizona Department of Public Safety, and the Phoenix Police Department.
By combining sophisticated investigative techniques with strong partnerships, the OCDETF initiative continues to disrupt organized crime and deliver justice. Porras-Ochoa’s 15-year sentence underscores the consequences of leading such criminal enterprises.