PHOENIX, Ariz. — Jefferson Alejandro Lopez Alcaraz, 45, of Phoenix, was sentenced to 15 years in prison on February 13, 2025, by United States District Judge John T. Tuchi. His sentence will run consecutive to a five-year sentence he is already serving in a separate case.
His co-defendant, Jaime Solorio-Torres, was previously sentenced to 57 months in prison on March 20, 2023.
DEA Surveillance Leads to Major Drug Bust
On February 1, 2022, agents from the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) were surveilling a residence in Phoenix when they spotted Solorio-Torres arriving in a Toyota Prius. He carried a white and blue cooler into the house, then left with it and placed it back in the car.
When authorities stopped the vehicle, they found 6.5 kilograms of fentanyl pills inside the cooler.
A search warrant for the residence led to the seizure of:
- 9 kilograms of fentanyl pills
- 248 grams of methamphetamine
- 239 grams of Xanax pills
- 6.6 grams of cocaine
- $26,532 in cash
- Six firearms, two of which had been reported stolen
- A drug ledger detailing transactions
Authorities Respond to the Sentencing
The DEA Phoenix East Valley Drug Enforcement Task Force conducted the investigation.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Stuart J. Zander, from the District of Arizona, prosecuted the case.
This sentencing is part of an ongoing effort to combat the fentanyl crisis in Arizona and disrupt major drug trafficking operations.
