Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes announced the sentencing of several individuals in three major drug trafficking cases, highlighting the scale of narcotics operations moving through the state and the dangers posed to communities.
The cases, prosecuted by the Attorney General’s Office in partnership with local law enforcement agencies, resulted in prison sentences ranging from more than seven years to over nine years.
One case involved Chandler resident Julian Magana, who was sentenced to 9.25 years in prison after pleading guilty to transporting and selling narcotic drugs. Investigators said Magana delivered pills containing carfentanil, an extremely potent synthetic opioid, during an undercover operation. Authorities later arrested him while he was allegedly attempting to deliver approximately 100,000 additional pills concealed in a duffel bag.
Law enforcement officials noted that carfentanil is significantly more powerful than fentanyl and is considered one of the most dangerous synthetic opioids encountered in drug trafficking investigations.
In a separate case, Bryan Fidel Crisoto-Cabrera received a 7.5-year prison sentence after authorities discovered 238 pounds of methamphetamine hidden inside a vehicle during a traffic stop along Interstate 10 in Chandler. Investigators said the drugs were concealed in a secret compartment beneath the vehicle and were believed to be connected to a Mexican drug trafficking organization. Officials estimated the methamphetamine could have generated more than $1.5 million in street-level sales.
The third case centered on a Phoenix home that investigators described as being used for drug sales while children were living on the property. Detectives with the Arizona Department of Public Safety recovered narcotics, firearms and drug packaging materials after serving a search warrant at the residence.
Gilbert Borquez pleaded guilty to narcotics, weapons and child abuse offenses and was sentenced to 8.75 years in prison. Erika Acosta, who also faced child abuse charges related to the conditions inside the home, received two years of supervised probation after pleading guilty.
Authorities said the investigation revealed three children were living in the residence and had access to areas where drugs, firearms and related materials were stored.
State officials said the cases underscore ongoing efforts to target drug trafficking organizations operating in Arizona while holding individuals accountable for offenses involving dangerous narcotics and crimes that place children and communities at risk.
