Arizona man who recruited truck drivers to transport drugs sentenced to prison

An Arizona-based drug trafficker was sentenced to more than a decade in prison, according to federal officials.

On December 3, 2024, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) announced that Avondale resident Heriberto Lopez-Landeros, 44, was sentenced to 14 years in prison.

In August 2024, Lopez-Landeros pleaded guilty to Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine.

According to the DEA, Lopez-Landeros was the head of a drug trafficking organization that brought large quantities of methamphetamine, fentanyl, and heroin from Mexico to locations all across the U.S.

In order to transport the drugs, Lopez-Landeros recruited semi truck drivers to participate in the trafficking operation, with many of them transporting drugs in the cab of their trucks.

“During a year-and-a-half long investigation, investigators were able to seize several large loads of drugs connected with Lopez-Landeros, including 83 kilograms of methamphetamine, 12 kilograms of fentanyl, and 645 grams of heroin,” officials said.

The case agaisnt Lopez-Landeros was investigated by the DEA, Homeland Security Investigations, the Arizona Department of Public Safety, and the Avondale Police Department.