TUSCON, Ariz. - The DEA Phoenix Field Division announces the guilty plea and sentencing of Ilda Mirim Garcia today, for her role in assisting with cosmetic surgeries without having any medical education, training or licensing. Garcia, who was sentenced to seven years in prison, was part of an illicit business that performed unlicensed and unregulated cosmetic surgeries in an industrial warehouse in Southern Arizona.
DEA began its investigation in May 2013, after receiving a tip from a patient who sought emergency treatment following the surgical procedures in which Garcia assisted. The victim developed an infection from an attempted liposuction and breast augmentation procedure. Additional victims were discovered and with the prosecutorial support of the Arizona Attorney General’s Office, on Aug. 1, 2013, agents executed search warrants on locations associated with the investigation and arrested Garcia.
“By assisting in these illegal procedures, Garcia jeopardized the lives of these victims, traumatizing them forever," said DEA Special Agent in Charge Doug Coleman. “Garcia certainly earned her sentence. DEA will not stand idly and watch these victims suffer this abuse."
The investigation was conducted by DEA and the Tucson Police Department and prosecuted by the Arizona Attorney General’s Office.
