Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes has declared a win for the state in the war against illegal drugs with the sentencing of Eduardo Cruz, a dealer in the destructive trade of fentanyl and methamphetamine. Mayes, as reported by the Arizona Attorney General's office, said that "My office is committed to protecting Arizona communities from the dangers of drugs like fentanyl and methamphetamine. We will keep working to get these drugs off our streets and hold those who distribute them accountable under the law."
Trading in narcotics that cast long shadows over the streets, Cruz was involved in sales of methamphetamine and fentanyl pills around Phoenix. Specifically, on Valentine's Day in February, he sold a haul of about 10,000 fentanyl pills, tipping the scales at 2.4 pounds, and later, in March, he was caught with 7.05 pounds of methamphetamine ready for distribution. After being charged with multiple felonies, Cruz has pled guilty, according to the Attorney General's office.
Eduardo Cruz's actions culminated in a sentence of 5 years in prison and 3 years of probation supervision, following a Maricopa County Superior Court's decision on September 30, 2024. The conviction also commands a significant financial toll from Cruz, including a $4,500 payment to the State Anti-Racketeering Revolving Fund, as well as $10,000 to cover investigation costs to the Department of Public Safety. Plus, giving up the guns involved, Cruz's path to redemption carries a steep price tag.
Assistant Attorney General Sabrina Lochner led the prosecution, successfully closing a case that extracted a small part of the poison from Arizona's veins. With the stakes high and every arrest potentially saving lives, the work of Mayes’ office and dedicated investigators—with the conclusive sentencing of individuals like Cruz—underscores an ongoing commitment to a safer, drug-free Arizona. As stated by the Arizona Attorney General's press release, "My office is committed to protecting Arizona communities from the dangers of drugs like fentanyl and methamphetamine."
