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ORGANIZED CRIME TASK FORCE
Phoenix man joins co-conspirators in drug charge guilty plea
Posted
INDEPENDENT NEWSMEDIA
A 26-year-old Phoenix man will have a sentencing hearing July 18 following his guilty plea to drug charges.
Carlos Alberto Castro-Ruiz pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and methamphetamine before U.S. District Judge Steven P. Logan, federal authorities said.
Castro-Ruiz’s co-conspirators also pleaded guilty to those charges. On April 13, Alexander Ortega-Islas, 22, of Phoenix, pleaded guilty, and Keivin Crosswell-Cervantes, 27, of Mexico, pleaded guilty on May 2. Sentencing hearings are scheduled for July 10 and July 17, respectively.
The three co-conspirators all admitted that they delivered approximately 400,000 blue fentanyl pills, approximately 20,000 multi-colored fentanyl pills and approximately 25 pounds of methamphetamine to undercover officers on Sept. 22, officials said.
Law enforcement officers also seized an AK-47-style pistol, a .45-caliber Kimber 1911 semi-automatic pistol with two magazines and a .45-caliber FN semi-automatic pistol.
A conviction for onspiracy to distribute fentanyl and methamphetamine carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison, with a maximum penalty of life imprisonment, a fine up to $10 million or both.
The prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces investigation. Homeland Security Investigations, Nogales, and the Drug Enforcement Administration, Nogales, conducted the investigation in the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew G. Eltringham, based out of Tucson, is handling the prosecution, officials said.
