HSI Sells, CBP Arrest Arizona Man for Attempting to Traffic Over 450 Kilograms of Fentanyl Into the US

SELLS, Ariz. — An Arizona man was arrested July 1 and charged by complaint with knowingly and intentionally possessing with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of fentanyl, a Schedule II controlled substance. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and are conducting the investigation.

The complaint alleges that, on July 1, David Quintero-Mascareno, 20, of Glendale, presented himself for inspection at the Port of Entry in Lukeville, driving a gray Dodge Ram towing a trailer loaded with a utility terrain vehicle. Quintero-Mascareno claimed he was returning to the United States from Puerto Penasco, Sonora, Mexico, and gave a negative customs declaration for contraband. A CBP canine trained to detect narcotics alerted to the utility trailer.

CBP officers found approximately 234 packages containing blue pills imprinted with “M30” concealed in the trailer’s floorboards and rails. A representative sample of the pills field-tested positive for the properties of fentanyl. The packages weighed a total of almost 460 kilograms.

A conviction for possession with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl carries a maximum penalty of life in prison, a fine of $10,000,000, or both, and a maximum term of five years supervised release.

A complaint is simply a method by which a person is charged with criminal activity and raises no inference of guilt. An individual is presumed innocent until evidence is presented to a jury that establishes guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Arizona in Tucson handled the prosecution.