A convicted drug trafficker in Phoenix has been sentenced to 151 months in prison, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Arizona announced.
Miguel Angel Gaytan-Ramirez, a 34-year-old Mexican national, was arrested in 2024 after attempting to sell 15 kilograms of fentanyl to an undercover DEA agent. Authorities believe he was linked to a Mexico-based Drug Trafficking Organization.
The sting operation led agents to a stash house, where they seized 74 pounds of fentanyl pills, 17 pounds of fentanyl powder, 41 pounds of cocaine, a rifle, and $18,000 in cash.
Gaytan-Ramirez pleaded guilty in November to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute fentanyl before being convicted. Following his prison term, he will be placed on supervised release.
Cochise County Sheriff Mark Dannels, whose jurisdiction lies along the southeastern Arizona border with Mexico, recently expressed concern over a significant rise in border-related crimes. According to Dannels, these crimes have cost the county more than $14 million.
“Over the last four years, we’ve seen an uptick that I’ve never seen in my four decades of law enforcement,” Dannels stated, emphasizing the severity of the issue.
Dannels responded positively to former President Donald Trump’s recent speech, which addressed border security and other pressing issues.
“The speech from President Trump was refreshing, re-energizing, and it provided hope back to the people in this county,” he remarked, highlighting the renewed optimism among residents dealing with the challenges of border-related crime.
