Attorney General Mayes Announces Five-Year Prison Sentence for Cocaine Trafficker

PHOENIX – Attorney General Kris Mayes today announced that Ismael Alejandro Ortiz was sentenced to five years in prison by the Pima County Superior Court on March 26, 2026.

“My office will keep prosecuting those who transport dangerous drugs into Arizona communities,” said Attorney General Mayes. “I am grateful for the work of our law enforcement partners and our attorneys in my office who work every day to keep Arizonans safe.”

On July 29, 2025, in Pima County, Arizona, Ortiz attempted to knowingly transport approximately 12.9 pounds of cocaine for sale, using a mobile barbershop bus as cover to arrive at the drug deal location. 

He was also ordered to pay $4,500 to the State Anti-Racketeering Revolving Fund. Ortiz pled guilty to Attempt to Transport a Narcotic Drug for Sale, a class 3 felony.

The drug deal was facilitated on WhatsApp, a platform owned by Meta.

"This is yet another case facilitated on a big tech billionaire's social media platform," said Attorney General Mayes. "Arizonans can track cases where social media companies are used to enable and facilitate illegal activities on our website."

The case was investigated by the DEA and prosecuted by Assistant Attorney General Sabrina Lochner. A copy of the indictment is available, as well as a copy of the defendant's booking photo.