Arizona Crackdown Leads to Sentences for Three Drug Traffickers

PHOENIX, Ariz.—Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes on June 17 announced prison sentences for three drug traffickers, citing the cases as part of the ongoing fight against narcotics networks in the state.

“These cases show the lengths drug traffickers will go to push deadly substances into our communities,” Mayes said in a statement.

One of the cases involved Julian Magana of Chandler, who was sentenced to 9.25 years in prison after pleading guilty to two counts of transporting narcotic drugs.

Investigators seized more than 100,000 carfentanil-laced pills weighing nearly 24 pounds. 

Carfentanil, a synthetic opioid developed to sedate large animals such as elephants and rhinoceroses, is far more potent than fentanyl and heroin. 

Mayes warned that even tiny amounts can be lethal and said the drug is increasingly appearing on Arizona streets.

The investigation began in December 2025, when a confidential informant working with Chandler police arranged to buy 10,000 pills from a Mexico-based trafficking network. 

Magana delivered the pills for $5,500, and testing later confirmed they contained carfentanil.

Days later, he agreed to supply 100,000 more pills.

Officers arrested him when he arrived at a meeting location carrying a duffel bag filled with drugs.

Authorities said he attempted to hide the bag behind a bush before being taken into custody.

Magana was also ordered to pay more than $7,000 in fines and reimburse Chandler police for funds used in the undercover purchase.

In a separate case, Bryan Fidel Crisoto-Cabrera received a 7.5-year prison sentence for transporting 238 pounds of methamphetamine along Interstate 10.

The case began on Jan. 16 with a traffic stop by Chandler police. A K-9 alerted officers to the vehicle, leading to the discovery of methamphetamine concealed in a hidden compartment beneath the car.

Police said Crisoto-Cabrera admitted to driving the vehicle from Mexico and suspected it contained narcotics. 

Authorities estimated the methamphetamine had a wholesale value of about $238,000 and a potential street value exceeding $1.5 million.

He was ordered to pay more than $5,000 in fines and surcharges and forfeit the vehicle.

A third case involved Gilbert Borquez and Erika Acosta, who both pleaded guilty to child abuse after investigators uncovered a drug operation inside a Phoenix home where three children lived.

Borquez also pleaded guilty to selling narcotic drugs and weapons misconduct and was sentenced to 8.75 years in prison. 

Acosta received two years of supervised probation.

While conducting surveillance in August 2025, Department of Public Safety detectives stopped Borquez after he left the residence and found more than a half-pound of cocaine, cash, and cell phones in his possession.

Inside the home, investigators found three children, ages 12, 4, and 3, alone amid what authorities described as an active drug-distribution operation. 

Detectives recovered marijuana, THC products, fentanyl, cocaine-packaging materials, seven firearms, ammunition, and gun accessories throughout the residence.

Mayes said her office will continue working with law enforcement agencies statewide to dismantle trafficking networks and hold those responsible accountable.