Tucson Man Sentenced for Fentanyl Distribution

TUCSON, Ariz. – A Mexican national has been sentenced to 41 months in prison for his role in distributing fentanyl in southern Arizona.

Adrian Lopez-Aparicio, 40, was sentenced on April 24, 2025, by United States District Judge Scott H. Rash. Lopez-Aparicio previously pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl.

According to court documents, Lopez-Aparicio was found in possession of 20,000 fentanyl pills in Tucson, Arizona, on October 3, 2024, which he intended to sell and distribute to another person. Three weeks later, a federal grand jury returned a three-count indictment against Lopez-Aparicio for possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, conspiring with others to distribute fentanyl, and illegal reentry of a removed alien.

The investigation in this case was conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Kelly Cavanaugh, District of Arizona, Tucson, handled the prosecution.

Lopez-Aparicio’s case is a stark reminder of the ongoing fentanyl crisis in our community. The fentanyl pills he possessed were intended to be sold and distributed on our streets, putting countless lives at risk. The sentence handed down by Judge Rash sends a strong message that those who engage in this type of activity will be held accountable.

CASE NUMBER: CR-24-07590-TUC-SHR

RELEASE NUMBER: 2025-064_Lopez-Aparicio

For more information on the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/az/

Follow the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, on Twitter @USAO_AZ for the latest news.

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