Jorge Anaya-Valencia, a 48-year-old resident of Guyamas, Sonora, Mexico, was sentenced to 180 months in prison for his role in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. The sentencing took place on September 23 before United States District Judge Krissa M. Lanham in Phoenix, Arizona.
Anaya-Valencia was living unlawfully in Arizona at the time of his arrest. Three co-defendants—Jesus Manuel Soto Quihui, Diego Nunez-Aispuri, and Ivan Manuel Higuera Torres—were also sentenced previously. Soto Quihui received a 60-month sentence, while Nunez-Aispuri and Higuera Torres were each sentenced to 46 months.
Court documents show that the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) began investigating Anaya-Valencia as part of a drug trafficking organization operating in Phoenix in November 2023. Surveillance conducted by agents on January 23, 2024 observed Higuero Torres arriving at a meeting with Anaya-Valencia in a red Ford F-150 pickup truck. After inspecting the back seat of the truck, Anaya-Valencia oversaw the transfer of two plastic containers and one cardboard box from the Ford F-150 into the cargo area of a Chevrolet Tahoe driven by Soto Quihui.
Law enforcement arrested all four individuals after they left in separate vehicles. During a search of the Chevrolet Tahoe, agents found approximately 76 kilograms (167 pounds) of methamphetamine inside the containers and box. Two firearms were also seized: one from Anaya-Valencia’s vehicle glove compartment and another from Soto Quihui’s waistband.
Records indicate that Anaya-Valencia had been removed from the United States twelve times previously and had nine prior criminal immigration convictions. He also has a felony conviction for Conspiracy to Commit Possession of Dangerous Drugs for Sale. At the time of his arrest for this case, he was on supervised release; as part of this disposition he received an additional six-month prison sentence.
The investigation was conducted by the DEA Phoenix East Valley Drug Enforcement Task Force HIDTA. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Stuart J. Zander and Travis L. Wheeler prosecuted the case.
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