PHOENIX, Ariz. — Miguel Angel Gaytan-Ramirez, a 34-year-old undocumented Mexican national, has been sentenced to 151 months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for his role in a major drug trafficking operation. United States District Judge Diane J. Humetewa handed down the sentence after Gaytan-Ramirez pleaded guilty on November 5, 2024, to Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute Fentanyl.
Undercover Operation Leads to Arrest
According to court records, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) initiated an undercover operation on January 25, 2024, in which an agent negotiated the purchase of 150,000 fentanyl pills—approximately 15 kilograms (33 pounds)—from a Mexico-based drug trafficking organization (DTO). The traffickers instructed the agent to meet in a Phoenix parking lot to complete the transaction.
At the location, investigators identified a Dodge Ram pickup truck linked to the DTO. Gaytan-Ramirez contacted the undercover agent by phone, confirming he was inside the vehicle. As soon as he did, law enforcement moved in and detained him.
Massive Drug Seizure at Stash House
Following his arrest, agents uncovered a nearby apartment used by Gaytan-Ramirez as a stash house. With his consent, authorities searched the residence and discovered a large drug cache hidden inside a closet, including:
- 34 kilograms (74.9 pounds) of fentanyl pills stamped with “M30”
- 8 kilograms (17.6 pounds) of fentanyl powder
- 19 kilograms (41.9 pounds) of cocaine
- A loaded American Tactical Omni Hybrid 5.56 NATO rifle with an AOMEKIE scope
- Over $18,000 in drug proceeds found in his vehicle and the apartment
Major Drug Bust in Ongoing Fight Against Fentanyl
The Phoenix East Valley Drug Enforcement Task Force, led by the DEA, spearheaded the investigation, working to dismantle major DTO operations funneling illicit drugs into Arizona.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joseph K. Nwoga and Stuart J. Zander, District of Arizona, prosecuted the case, reinforcing the Department of Justice’s commitment to combating the fentanyl crisis.
With fentanyl overdoses on the rise, law enforcement officials continue to pursue traffickers at all levels of the supply chain, ensuring those responsible face severe legal consequences.
