Three individuals from Arizona and Washington have been convicted in federal court for their involvement in a transnational drug trafficking organization, according to Acting United States Attorney Troy Rivetti. The convictions are part of a broader case involving 35 defendants accused of participating in a domestic and international conspiracy to distribute large quantities of fentanyl, methamphetamine, and cocaine.
Carlos Zamora, 29, of Phoenix, Arizona, and Bryce Hill, 28, of Seattle, Washington, were found guilty by a jury after a two-and-a-half-week trial before U.S. District Judge J. Nicholas Ranjan. Jesus Ramirez, 28, also from Phoenix, pleaded guilty during the trial.
“These convictions are a testament to the collaborative efforts of law enforcement officers from multiple agencies throughout the country,” said Acting United States Attorney Rivetti. “Refusing to be bound by borders, law enforcement disrupted the deadly flow of fentanyl into western Pennsylvania by aggressively targeting conspirators in Phoenix, Seattle, Mexico, and elsewhere. This multi-year investigation enabled the seizure of millions of fentanyl tablets, the largest quantities ever obtained through an investigation based in western Pennsylvania.”
FBI Pittsburgh Special Agent in Charge Kevin Rojek commented on the verdicts: “These convictions send a clear message: those who think they can profit from the deadly flow of drugs and endanger lives in our community will be held accountable. The dangerous reality of large-scale drug trafficking organizations isn’t just about peddling huge quantities of poison – it’s also the violence they bring. The FBI and our partners stand fully committed to fighting for the protection of our neighborhoods.”
Deputy Special Agent in Charge Nathan Abel from HSI Philadelphia added: “Today’s verdict affirms what our investigators have worked so hard to prove: those who smuggle poison like fentanyl into the United States, endanger our families, and bankroll violence will face swift and severe consequences. While no verdict can replace the lives already lost to this crisis, it brings a measure of justice to the victims and a measure of safety to the public. HSI Philadelphia remains steadfast in pursuing every lead, freezing every illicit dollar, and bringing every offender to court until the flow of these deadly drugs is stopped.”
Evidence presented at trial showed that Hill and Zamora were members of the Monarrez Drug Trafficking Organization based in Phoenix. This group was responsible for distributing millions of fentanyl pills as well as significant amounts of methamphetamine and cocaine across various regions including western Pennsylvania between August 2021 and June 2023.
Both Hill and Zamora were recorded via federal wiretap acquiring hundreds of thousands of fentanyl pills along with kilograms of methamphetamine intended for redistribution. Additional evidence included testimony regarding search warrants executed at locations linked to Hill where authorities seized drugs valued at substantial amounts along with firearms and cash.
The jury determined that Hill and Zamora conspired with others to distribute or possess with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine; 400 grams or more fentanyl; as well as 500 grams or more methamphetamine within western Pennsylvania among other places.
Ramirez pleaded guilty on September 17th for conspiring with others related specifically to distributing over 500 grams cocaine; over 40 grams fentanyl; over 50 grams methamphetamine.
Sentencing dates have not yet been set for Hill or Zamora while Ramirez is scheduled for sentencing on January 20th next year. Under current law guidelines both Hill and Zamora face sentences ranging from ten years up to life imprisonment plus possible fines up $10 million each whereas Ramirez faces five years up forty years imprisonment plus possible fine up $5 million depending on severity offenses involved prior criminal history considered under federal Sentencing Guidelines.
These latest convictions add onto previous findings against twenty-nine co-defendants implicated within same investigation spearheaded by Assistant U.S Attorneys Arnold P Bernard Jr., Tonya S Goodman Katherine C Jordan representing government prosecution side throughout process.
Investigative efforts were led primarily by Federal Bureau Investigation Laurel Highlands Resident Agency Homeland Security Investigations with additional support Internal Revenue Service–Criminal Investigation United States Postal Inspection Service Scottsdale Arizona Police Department among several other local entities involved collaboration during operation.
This prosecution falls under Operation Take Back America which seeks coordination across Department Justice resources aimed dismantling cartels transnational criminal organizations combating illegal immigration enhancing community safety utilizing programs such as Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).
