Cartel Drug Courier Convicted of Transporting 5,368 Heroin Pills

TUCSON - Attorney General Mark Brnovich announced a Pima County jury found Sergio Ramon Chavez  guilty of transporting 5,368 heroin pills. Chavez, 41, was found guilty of 3 felony charges including Transportation of Heroin for Sale, Illegally Conducting an Enterprise, and Conspiracy to Transport Heroin for Sale. Chavez’s co-defendant, Anthony Sebastian Cadena, 31, pleaded guilty the day before trial to Conspiracy to Transport Heroin for Sale.

In February 2017, a Department of Public Safety Trooper attempted to stop a black Mercedes driven by Cadena near El Con Mall. Chavez jumped out of the car to run from police, leaving behind a McDonald’s bag that contained 5,368 heroin pills with a street value of $53,000. A trooper found Chavez hiding in the bushes of a nearby apartment complex. Chavez admitted to police that the cartel was paying him $1,500 to pick up and deliver drugs.

Chavez faces between 10.5 years to 35 years in prison. The court also found Chavez had prior convictions for Aggravated Assault in 2000 and Child Abuse in 2011. His sentencing is scheduled for March 12, 2018.

Cadena, who has no prior felonies, is facing probation to 12.5 years in prison. His sentencing is set for March 7, 2018.

Assistant Attorney General Nanette Morrow prosecuted this case in the Arizona Attorney General's Office Southern Arizona White Collar and Criminal Enterprise Unit.