An Arizona man has been sentenced to nearly a decade in prison after authorities dismantled a drug trafficking operation involving fentanyl, cocaine, and heroin.
According to the Arizona Attorney General’s Office, Steven Carrillo received a 9.75-year prison sentence on April 20, followed by three years of probation. The sentencing stems from his role in managing a criminal enterprise that distributed multiple narcotics across the region.
Investigators with the Arizona Department of Public Safety uncovered significant quantities of fentanyl and cocaine during a search of Carrillo’s residence. Authorities also seized tools commonly associated with drug distribution, including digital scales and a money counter, suggesting a well-organized operation.
Carrillo ultimately pleaded guilty in Pima County Superior Court to several felony charges, including illegally conducting a criminal enterprise, possession of narcotics for sale, and attempted transportation of drugs intended for distribution.
In a statement accompanying the case, Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes emphasized the broader public safety concerns tied to fentanyl. She noted that the synthetic opioid continues to take a heavy toll on communities statewide and reaffirmed her office’s commitment to targeting those responsible for its distribution.
Authorities said Carrillo’s operation was active for several months, running from early April through early November 2024. The case was prosecuted by Assistant Attorney General Michael Lester.
The sentencing marks another step in Arizona’s ongoing crackdown on narcotics trafficking, particularly involving fentanyl, which has been linked to a surge in overdose deaths nationwide.
