Fentanyl Trafficker Sentenced to Seven Years in Prison

PHOENIX, Ariz. – Angel Valencia-Avendano, 20, of Los Mochis, Sinaloa, was sentenced last week by United States Chief District Judge G. Murray Snow to 84 months in prison. Valencia-Avendano pleaded guilty to Possession with Intent to Distribute Fentanyl.

On March 6, 2023, Valencia-Avendano was arrested and charged with fentanyl trafficking. On that day, investigators were conducting surveillance in Phoenix near 78th Avenue and west McDowell Road. Valencia-Avendano was pulled over for a traffic violation and the vehicle was searched. In the duffle bag in the back of the car investigators found approximately 27 kilograms of pills containing fentanyl (approximately 280,000 pills). Investigators later searched Valencia-Avendano’s apartment, where they located a handgun, another 3 kilograms of fentanyl, as well as drug ledgers, and $83,500 in cash. Both the handgun and the cash were forfeited to the United States.

The United States Drug Enforcement Administration conducted the investigation in this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan McCarthy, District of Arizona, Phoenix, handled the prosecution.

CASE NUMBER:            CR-23-00397-PHX-GMS
RELEASE NUMBER:    2024-068_Valencia-Avendano

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