Federal officials have announced that an Arizona-based drug trafficker has been sentenced to over ten years in prison.
On December 3, 2024, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) made an announcement regarding the sentencing of Heriberto Lopez-Landeros, a 44-year-old resident of Avondale. He has been sentenced to 14 years in prison.
In August 2024, Lopez-Landeros admitted his guilt in possessing methamphetamine with the intention to distribute it.
The DEA states that Lopez-Landeros led a drug trafficking organization responsible for transporting significant amounts of methamphetamine, fentanyl, and heroin from Mexico to various locations throughout the United States.
Lopez-Landeros enlisted the help of semi truck drivers to transport the drugs, with a significant number of them carrying the illicit substances in the cabs of their trucks.
“During a year-and-a-half long investigation, investigators were able to seize several large loads of drugs connected with Lopez-Landeros, including 83 kilograms of methamphetamine, 12 kilograms of fentanyl, and 645 grams of heroin,” officials said.
The DEA, Homeland Security Investigations, the Arizona Department of Public Safety, and the Avondale Police Department conducted an investigation into the case against Lopez-Landeros.