PHOENIX, Ariz. – In a significant blow to Mexican organized crime, Jorge Anaya-Valencia, 48, was sentenced to 180 months in prison for his role in a massive methamphetamine distribution ring in Phoenix, Arizona.
Anaya-Valencia, an unlawful resident of Arizona, was found guilty of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. His co-defendants, all undocumented immigrants, have received sentences ranging from 46 to 60 months in prison.
According to investigators with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Anaya-Valencia was identified as a key player in a Phoenix-based drug trafficking organization in November 2023. Surveillance revealed that on January 23, 2024, he met with several co-conspirators, including Ivan Manuel Higuera Torres, Diego Nunez-Aispuro, and Jesus Manuel Soto Quihui.
During the encounter, the group loaded 76 kilograms (167 pounds) of methamphetamine into a vehicle, which was subsequently seized by law enforcement. Two firearms were also recovered during the arrest.
Anaya-Valencia’s extensive criminal history includes 12 prior removals from the United States, nine previous immigration convictions, and a prior felony conviction for conspiracy to commit possession of dangerous drugs for sale. At the time of his arrest, he was on supervised release.
The DEA’s Phoenix East Valley Drug Enforcement Task Force HIDTA conducted the investigation, led by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Stuart J. Zander and Travis L. Wheeler. This case serves as a testament to the ongoing efforts to disrupt and dismantle transnational crime organizations operating in the United States.
Anaya-Valencia’s sentence is a significant blow to the Mexican organized crime syndicate, and it highlights the importance of international cooperation in combating the flow of illicit substances across borders.
Related Federal Cases
- Arizona Man Sentenced to Life for Methamphetamine Conspiracy · Washington
- Alex Lang, Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine, South Dakota 2025 · Washington
- Joseph Rojas, Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine, Pennsylvania 2014 · Pennsylvania
- Urbana Man Convicted of Methamphetamine Conspiracy, Urbana IL, 2023 · Illinois
- April Villagomez, Methamphetamine Distribution Conspiracy, SD 2019 · South Dakota
Key Facts
- State: Arizona
- Category: Drug Trafficking
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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