Attorney General Kris Mayes has announced the sentencing of Victor Manuel Vargas to 15 years in prison. Vargas was sentenced in Maricopa County Superior Court on January 7, 2025, for charges related to illegally conducting an enterprise and possession of dangerous drugs for sale.
“It is a top priority to find and stop the criminal drug organizations bringing dangerous drugs to Arizona like the trafficking ring we brought to justice this week,” stated Attorney General Kris Mayes. “My office continues to work in lockstep with local law enforcement and federal partners as we fight to take down criminal drug traffickers and stop the flow of fentanyl through our state.”
The case against Vargas followed an investigation by the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Scottsdale Police Department. The operation resulted in the seizure of approximately 142 pounds of methamphetamine, 53 pounds of fentanyl—equating to around 241,000 pills marked as oxycodone but laced with fentanyl—3 pounds of cocaine, 1.5 pounds of heroin, $24,000 in cash, and a handgun.
Two co-defendants involved in the case are still awaiting trial. The prosecution was managed by the Arizona Attorney General’s Drug and Racketeering Enforcement Section within its Criminal Division.