Drug importer sentenced to 41 months for importing fentanyl, heroin, meth and cocaine into US
NOGALES, Ariz. — A judge sentenced Angel Daniel Miranda-Contreras, 29, of Nogales, Sonora, Mexico, to 41 months in prison during the last week of July. Miranda-Contreras was found guilty of attempting to smuggle drugs into the United States following a Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Arizona probe. He pleaded guilty to importation of fentanyl, importation of heroin, importation of methamphetamine and importation of cocaine on April 10.
“HSI remains dedicated to keeping our community safe — which includes stopping drugs from reaching our streets by individuals such as this criminal, Mr. Miranda-Contreras,” said HSI Arizona Special Agent in Charge Scott Brown. “As this sentence makes clear, those who think they can stay undetected by law enforcement in attempting to smuggle drugs will be stopped and brought to justice.”
Miranda-Contreras crossed the border from Mexico into the United States in a 2015 Volkswagen Crossfox at the Mariposa Port of Entry in Nogales, Arizona, on Aug. 5, 2022. Officials found 47 kilograms of fentanyl, 5 kilograms of methamphetamine, 2 kilograms of cocaine and 870 grams of heroin concealed in hidden compartments in the vehicle. At the time, Miranda-Contreras claimed that he was unaware he was smuggling illegal narcotics into the United States and that he had only agreed to smuggle money.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Kelly Cavanaugh for the District of Arizona in Tucson prosecuted the case.
HSI is the principal investigative arm of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), responsible for investigating transnational crime and threats, specifically those criminal organizations that exploit the global infrastructure through which international trade, travel, and finance move. HSI’s workforce of more than 8,700 employees consists of more than 6,000 special agents assigned to 237 cities throughout the United States, and 93 overseas locations in 56 countries. HSI’s international presence represents DHS’ largest investigative law enforcement presence abroad and one of the largest international footprints in U.S. law enforcement.
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