Phoenix, Arizona - Attorney General Mark Brnovich announced today a jury convicted Jose Castro-Felix of Queen Creek, Arizona of Conspiracy, Conducting an Illegal Enterprise, Possession of Cocaine for Sale, Possession of Heroin for Sale, and Money Laundering for his involvement in a Mexico-based cocaine and heroin trafficking organization. The conviction stems from Castro-Felix’s possession of more than a $1,000,000 worth of heroin and cocaine and $50,000 in drug proceeds in August 2012. Castro-Felix failed to show up for his trial and is currently on the run. A judge issued a warrant for his arrest.
In August 2012, members of the Phoenix Police Department (“PPD”) and United States Drug Enforcement Administration (“DEA”) learned of an organization involved in the distribution of heroin and cocaine using pickup trucks. The officers conducted surveillance, which led them to a stash house hidden in a neighborhood near Ocotillo and Ironwood Roads. On August 15, 2012, officers saw a pickup truck arrive at the house and learned it had crossed from Mexico into the United States through the Douglas Port of Entry a few hours earlier. Castro-Felix was seen taking possession of the truck and backing it into the garage. Investigators obtained a search warrant and examined the truck inside the garage. The truck’s front drive shaft was missing and the rear drive shaft had an empty aftermarket compartment in it. They also found the front drive shafts in an attic above the truck. Officers found cocaine hidden inside of the drive shafts. Additionally, the officers found a significant amount of cocaine, heroin, and currency in buckets which were also hidden in an attic. In all, PPD and DEA seized 33 pounds of heroin, 22 pounds of cocaine, and more than $50,000 in drug proceeds.
Castro-Felix was convicted on August 16, 2016. A Maricopa County jury found him guilty of Conspiracy to Possess and Transport Narcotic Drugs for Sale, Illegally Conducting an Enterprise, Money Laundering in the Second Degree and Possession of Cocaine and Heroin for Sale. Anyone with information on Castro-Felix’s whereabouts should call their local law enforcement agency immediately.
The Arizona Attorney General’s Office Drug and Racketeering Enforcement Section prosecuted this case.
