3 defendants sentenced to years in prison in Arizona meth trafficking case

Two men and a woman face years in prison for trafficking methamphetamine in Arizona for a Mexican drug cartel, authorities announced Tuesday.

Berenice Nafarrate, Leonel Armenta-Perez and Marcial Valenzuela-Hernandez were arrested last year after they arrived to complete a drug deal, according to the Arizona Attorney General’s Office.

On Nov. 4, 2025, a Chandler Police Department informant arranged a buy with Mexico-based traffickers.

The informant met with Nafarrate and Armenta-Perez at the agreed-upon location, and Valenzuela-Hernandez drove the meth to the transaction site, prosecutors said.

Police arrested the trio at the scene and recovered just over 70 pounds of meth.

Valenzuela-Hernandez was 17 at the time. Armenta-Perez, who was carrying a handgun during the deal, was known to authorities as a major drug trafficker, prosecutors said. Meanwhile, Nafarrate had a prior arrest for drug trafficking in Oklahoma.

All three were indicted on multiple charges on Dec. 8, 2025.

Nafarrate, Armenta-Perez and Valenzuela-Hernandez all pleaded guilty to transportation of a dangerous drug for sale. Additionally, Armenta-Perez pleaded guilty to misconduct involving weapons and conspiracy.

They were sentenced in Maricopa County Superior Court as follows:

• Valenzuela-Hernandez: Five years on June 29.
• Nafarrate: Seven years on July 14.
• Armenta-Perez: Seven years on July 16.

Each defendant was also ordered to pay $5,000 in fines and fees. Furthermore, Armenta-Perez was ordered to forfeit his handgun.

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