Glendale man arrested for trafficking 450 kilograms of fentanyl

PHOENIX — According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Arizona, a Glendale man was arrested Monday for trafficking over 450 kilograms of fentanyl.

On Monday, 20-year-old David Quintero-Mascareno turned himself in for border control at the Lukeville port of entry. He was driving a gray Dodge Ram and pulling a trailer with an SUV, authorities said.

Quintero-Mascareno said he had returned to the United States from Puerto Penasco and Sonora, Mexico, and had made a negative customs declaration for contraband. A Customs and Border Protection dog was then alerted to the trailer.

Officers found 234 packages of blue pills labeled “M30” hidden in the trailer’s floorboards and rails. These tested positive for fentanyl, the press release said.

He was charged with knowingly and intentionally possessing 400 grams or more of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of fentanyl with the intent to distribute, the press release said.

If convicted on this count, the maximum penalty is life imprisonment, a $10 million fine, or both.