Former Mexican Mayor Sentenced to Over 21 Years in Prison for Operating an Arizona Based Drug Trafficking Organization

     PHOENIX – On March 7, 2016, Arturo Reyes Trujillo, 43, of Agua Prieta, Sonora, Mexico, was sentenced to 262 months in prison by U.S. District Judge Neil V. Wake. Trujillo was elected municipal president (mayor) in Fronteras, Sonora, Mexico in 2012. He was arrested on Sept. 6, 2012, and previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine and conspiracy to commit money laundering. In total, Trujillo was involved in sending approximately 1,000 kilograms of cocaine throughout the United States and laundered approximately $20 million. 

      According to the plea agreement, from about Jan. 1, 2003, to July 28, 2007, the defendant (who was then living in Tucson) was the head of the drug trafficking organization that hired a network of individuals to deliver multi-hundred kilogram shipments of cocaine, using passenger cars and tractor-trailer trucks, throughout the United States. The organization also brought back to Arizona millions of dollars in proceeds from cocaine sales. Law enforcement authorities seized over 77 kilograms of cocaine and over $490,000 in drug proceeds.

     “The lengthy sentence in this case reflects our office’s commitment to aggressively prosecute cross-border drug trafficking,” stated Acting U.S. Attorney Elizabeth Strange.  “The underlying investigation also exemplifies the fine work that is routinely done by our law enforcement partners on the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force.” 

     “Arturo Reyes Trujillo preyed upon the addiction of American citizens to enrich himself and his friends by selling cocaine and laundering the illegal proceeds gained from these crimes,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge Doug Coleman. “His lengthy sentence shows that DEA and our partners will never relent in our mission to protect the American people from the scourge of drug trafficking and abuse, and bring those responsible to face justice in United States court rooms.”

     “The defendant operated a transnational organized criminal group that was responsible for the laundering of millions of dollars in drug proceeds. IRS-CI is proud to work with the DEA and our other law enforcement partners to dismantle these drug organizations by tracing, disrupting, and seizing the flow of their money,” stated IRS-Criminal Investigation Special Agent in Charge Ismael Nevarez Jr.

     The investigation in this case was conducted by agencies participating in the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force.  The lead agencies were the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation.  Additionally, we would like to recognize the Government of Mexico for their assistance with the extradition and the Office of International Affairs for their assistance in this case.  The prosecution was handled by Keith Vercauteren and Krissa Lanham, Assistant U.S. Attorneys, District of Arizona, Phoenix.

NUMBER:            CR-18-0001-PHX-NVW

RELEASE NUMBER: 2016-019_Trujillo

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