Attorney General Mayes Announces Prison Sentence for Drug Trafficker Caught with 35 Kilograms of Fentanyl

PHOENIX – Attorney General Kris Mayes announced that Jose Soto-Olguin was sentenced on September 29, 2026, to seven calendar years in prison after entering a guilty plea for drug trafficking offenses. The case comes after a long-term investigation which led to the seizure of 35 kilograms of fentanyl powder and one kilogram of heroin.

"Those who traffic fentanyl in Arizona will be investigated, prosecuted, and held accountable," said Attorney General Mayes. "I am grateful to the prosecutors and our law enforcement partners, whose work removed deadly quantities of this drug from our communities."

On January 27, 2026, a joint investigation by the Arizona Attorney General's Office, the Phoenix Police Department, and the Drug Enforcement Administration revealed that Soto-Olguin was expecting to receive a large quantity of illegal drugs. Investigators went to the location and set up surveillance, where they observed Soto-Olguin receive a large, heavy tire from another individual and struggle to load it into the back of his truck.

During a subsequent traffic stop, a police K9 alerted to the presence of illegal drugs inside the tire. A search of the tire revealed 35 kilograms of fentanyl powder. A search of Soto-Olguin's apartment uncovered an additional kilogram of heroin, along with other evidence of drug sales.

Soto-Olguin was indicted on charges of Conspiracy, Illegally Conducting an Enterprise, Possession of a Narcotic Drug for Sale, and Possession or Use of Narcotic Drugs. In addition to his prison sentence, he was ordered to pay approximately $9,000 in drug fines and to forfeit his interest in the vehicle he used to transport the fentanyl.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant Attorney General Brett George of the Drug and Racketeering Enforcement Section.