Local Drug Distributor Sentenced to Five Years in Prison for Organizing The Sale of Cocaine

TUCSON, Ariz. – Elias Sambrano, 33, of Tucson, was sentenced last week by United States District Judge Scott H. Rash to 60 months in prison, followed by 48 months supervised release. Sambrano pleaded guilty on April 26, 2023, to Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute Cocaine and Possession with Intent to Distribute Cocaine.

Sambrano organized and attempted to organize sales of cocaine and methamphetamine. Sambrano confirmed with interested parties that he had high-quality cocaine for sale, discussed pricing and purity levels of drugs with others, and knowingly and intentionally coordinated the sale of approximately one kilogram of cocaine for $32,500 to an out-of-state purchaser on November 2, 2020.

The Drug Enforcement Administration in Sierra Vista, Arizona conducted the investigation in this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael R. Lizano, District of Arizona, Tucson, handled the prosecution.

CASE NUMBER:           21-CR-02281-SHR
RELEASE NUMBER:    2023-175_Sambrano

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