Arizona man sentenced to 10 years in prison for trafficking methamphetamine

PHOENIX — A man was sentenced to 10 years in prison after being convicted of transportation of a dangerous drug for sale last week.

Emilio Lopez, 23, was convicted of the class two felony on behalf of a Mexican drug-trafficking organization, according to a Friday press release from the Arizona Attorney General’s office.

Lopez transported 30 pounds of methamphetamine on July 18, 2025. He attempted to flee when law enforcement tried to arrest him, and was apprehended just after crashing his vehicle into a nearby restaurant drive-thru and an additional restaurant, authorities said.

Lopez has two prior drug trafficking convictions in Yuma County. He served 3.5 years in prison after being convicted of attempted sale or transportation of narcotic drugs in August 2021 while on probation.

The repeat offender was released from community supervision in May 2025, two months before committing this class two felony, authorities said.

“This defendant has shown that he poses a serious threat to our communities,” Attorney General Kris Mayes said. “Arizonans can rest easier knowing this repeat drug trafficker is off our streets and behind bars for the next decade.”

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