Three people have been sentenced to prison after pleading guilty in a Chandler drug trafficking case involving more than 70 pounds of methamphetamine, Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes announced Tuesday.
The investigation began in November 2025 when a confidential informant working with the Chandler Police Department arranged to purchase a large quantity of methamphetamine from a drug trafficking organization based in Mexico. Authorities arrested the suspects as the transaction was taking place and seized more than 70 pounds of methamphetamine.
According to prosecutors, Berenice Nafarrate helped coordinate the deal, while Leonel Armenta-Perez arrived armed with a handgun and was later charged with additional weapons and conspiracy offenses. A third defendant, Marcial Valenzuela-Hernandez, who was 17 at the time, transported the drugs to the meeting location.
All three defendants pleaded guilty to transporting a dangerous drug for sale. Valenzuela-Hernandez was sentenced to five years in prison, while Nafarrate and Armenta-Perez each received seven-year prison terms. Armenta-Perez also pleaded guilty to misconduct involving weapons and conspiracy and was ordered to forfeit the handgun recovered during the investigation.
The case reflects ongoing efforts by state and local law enforcement to target large-scale drug trafficking operations moving illegal narcotics through Arizona.