PHOENIX — Two men are facing federal charges after authorities seized more than 45 kilograms of fentanyl pills and powder in Phoenix earlier this week, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Arizona.
Jose Angel Gonzalez-Carrillo, 46, of Modesto, California, and Ethyel Aldahyr Ontiveros-Flores, 25, of Mazatlan, Mexico, were arrested on June 2 and charged with conspiracy to distribute over 36 kilograms of fentanyl pills and over 9 kilograms of fentanyl powder.
Officials say Gonzalez-Carrillo arranged the sale of approximately 10,000 fentanyl pills to an undercover buyer. Ontiveros-Flores delivered the first batch of pills, followed by a second delivery of more than 90,000 additional pills later the same day. Both men were arrested shortly after the second transaction.
A search of Ontiveros-Flores’ property uncovered over 200,000 more fentanyl pills and nine one-kilogram packages of fentanyl powder.
If convicted, each defendant faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison, up to life, along with fines of up to $10 million.
The arrests are part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative aimed at dismantling drug cartels and transnational criminal organizations.
The Drug Enforcement Administration led the investigation, with help from Homeland Security Investigations, the Arizona Department of Public Safety, the Goodyear Police Department, and Arizona State University Police. The U.S. Attorney’s Office in Phoenix is prosecuting the case.
Authorities remind the public that charges are allegations, and both men are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
