2 arrested for conspiring to distribute 50,000 fentanyl pills after shooting at DEA agents

PHOENIX — Two men, one from Mexico and one from Arizona, were arrested Tuesday for conspiring to distribute what authorities suspect to be around 50,000 fentanyl pills.

Drug Enforcement Administration agents arrested Eduardo Valenzuela Lopez of Mexico and Jael Gonzalez Banuelos of Phoenix for the conspiracy after being involved in a shooting, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Arizona. No injuries were reported.

Valenzuela Lopez, who is “illegally present in the United States,” allegedly fired shots at agents who were attempting to inspect the duo’s vehicle near the site of a drugs sale.

The two men had “negotiated and coordinated the sale” of roughly 50,000 fentanyl pills from early this month until Tuesday, a press release said.

DEA agents recovered the illegal drugs in the vehicle’s passenger compartment and a firearm on the floor of the driver’s side of the car.

If Valenzuela Lopez and Gonzalez Banuelos are convicted with conspiring to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl, the charge means a minimum of 10 years and up to life in prison, a fine of up to $10 million and a minimum of five years and up to life of supervised release.

Both men appeared in court for the first time Wednesday.

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