On April 25, 2012, a federal grand jury in Phoenix returned a 76 count superseding indictment against 11 defendants charging them with multiple crimes including conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute marijuana, structuring financial transactions through a domestic financial institution and promotional money laundering. The defendants are being held until sentencing.
The investigation was part of Operation Lost Package, an 18-month long investigation regarding a drug trafficking organization responsible for the shipment of large quantities of marijuana from Phoenix, Arizona to multiple cities on the East Coast. Cash proceeds from the trafficking were structured and deposited into accounts at various domestic financial institutions in amounts ranging from $4,000.00 to $9,000.00 to further the conspiracy.
In December, following a four day trial, a Federal jury in Phoenix found Rafiq Albert Brooks guilty of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute marijuana and possession with intent to distribute marijuana. The case was tried before U.S. District Judge James A. Teilborg and the sentencing is set for March 4, 2013.
The other ten defendants in the case pleaded guilty prior to trial. Three of the defendants have already been sentenced:
Koy Kayon Williams pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possession with intent to distribute marijuana and was sentenced to 135 months in Federal prison.
Genaro Barra-Mendoza pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute marijuana and was sentenced to time served.
Victor Arrellano-Zuniga pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute marijuana and was sentenced to 14 months in Federal prison.
Maximiliano Riviera-Landers pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute marijuana. He is scheduled to be sentenced on March 11, 2013.
Luis Alberto Gutierrez pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute marijuana.
Chelliean Latanneya Duncan pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute marijuana.
Sharon Sophi Johnson pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute marijuana.
Bianca McKinney pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute marijuana.
Kristopher Paul Stone pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute marijuana and structuring financial transactions through a domestic financial institution. He is scheduled to be sentenced on February 19, 2013.
Renard Allistere White pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
Defendants face 5 years to 30 years in prison.
The investigation in this case was conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration, Scottsdale Police Department, Internal Revenue Service, and the United States Postal Inspection Service.