Arizona Man Charged Following Seizure of 150,000 Fentanyl Pills

(The Center Square) – A Tempe man is facing serious charges after a significant drug bust that occurred on October 10, resulting in the seizure of 150,000 fentanyl pills by law enforcement. Jesus Januario Sandoval Leyva has been indicted by Attorney General Kris Mayes’ office on October 21, with charges including conspiracy, illegal enterprise formation, and the sale of narcotic drugs.

The indictment outlines a timeline of criminal activity, stating, “Between about August 21, 2024, and continuing thereafter up to and including about the date of October 11, 2024, Jesus Januario Sandoval, also known as Jesus Sandoval-Leyva, conducted the affairs of an enterprise through racketeering.” This indicates his alleged direct or indirect involvement in ongoing illegal activities.

Fentanyl-related incidents are notably prevalent in Arizona, a border state grappling with drug trafficking challenges. In 2023, law enforcement agencies confiscated a staggering 113 million fentanyl pills, according to a study supported by the National Institutes of Health.

The opioid crisis has severely impacted Arizona, with the state witnessing an estimated five opioid-related deaths daily. Many of these fatalities are linked to fentanyl overdoses. Law enforcement at all levels collaborate to combat this crisis, with notable recent seizures including the largest bust in U.S. Customs and Border Protection history, which occurred in July, involving half a ton of fentanyl. A related incident involved a woman apprehended trying to board a flight from Phoenix to Atlanta with 50,000 fentanyl pills in her checked luggage.