ARIZONA NEWS

Last person tied to Arizona meth ring sentenced to over 5 years in prison

Mar 10, 2023, 8:15 AM | Updated: 8:23 am
(AP Photo)...
(AP Photo)
(AP Photo)

PHOENIX — The fifth and final person connected to an Arizona drug ring was sentenced to 5 1/2 years in prison last week, authorities said.

A federal judge sentenced Darris Manero Vincent, 44, to 66 months behind bars and three years of supervised release after he previously pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Arizona said in a press release Wednesday.

Four other Arizonans tied to the drug ring were sentenced in 2021, with penalties ranging from three to 10 years in prison.

They were Cristal Perrin, 53, Paul Zuccarello, 58, Carlos Bustamante, 47, and Carlos De La Cruz, 36. De La Cruz is from Phoenix. The other four defendants are from Maricopa.

An investigation into Vincent began in 2018 when police were looking into an undercover operation that involved the sale of meth on the Ak-Chin Indian Community.

Vincent sold meth to an undercover officer on several occasions in 2018 and then he introduced the officer to Perrin, Zuccarello, Bustamente and de la Cruz, who were some of his suppliers, the release said.

All four co-defendants also sold meth to the undercover officer in 2018 and 2019.

The investigation was conducted by the Bureau of Indian Affairs, the Ak-Chin Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration.

We want to hear from you.

Have a story idea or tip? Pass it along to the KTAR News team here.

Arizona News

From left: Demarcus Frazier, Freddy Patterson and Charles Adams. (Tempe Police Department Photos)...
KTAR.com

2 teenagers to be charged as adults in fatal shooting of 5-year-old in Tempe

Three suspects, two of them under 18, were arrested and charged in the fatal shooting of a 5-year-old in Tempe, authorities said Monday.
11 hours ago
(Frontier Airlines Photo)...
Kevin Stone

Frontier Airlines to offer nonstop flights from Phoenix to Tampa, Houston

Frontier Airlines is getting ready to launch seasonal nonstop service from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport to Houston and Tampa.
11 hours ago
(Cronkite News Photo/Izabella Hernandez)...
Abigail Scott | Cronkite News

Glendale complex is first to use state affordable housing tax credit

Construction is underway on an affordable housing complex in Glendale funded in part by a state low-income housing tax credit.
11 hours ago
(Screenshot via ADOT Webcam)...
KTAR.com

Crash clogs traffic on southbound Interstate 17 near downtown Phoenix

A multiple-vehicle crash jammed a freeway near downtown Phoenix during the morning rush Tuesday, state transportation officials said.
11 hours ago
(Pexels Photo)...
Taylor Kinnerup and Taylor Tasler

Overdose inside Arizona prison points to larger problem, concern for state leaders

Drugs are making their way into Arizona prisons and in some cases, leading to emergency situations. It's a high concern for top state officials.
11 hours ago
Vicente Fox (KTAR News Photo/Griselda Zetino)...
Griselda Zetino

Former Mexican president encourages voters living in Arizona to participate in Mexico election

Mexican citizens living in Arizona will get a chance to elect the country's next president. A former president wants to ensure they participate.
11 hours ago

Sponsored Articles

(Desert Institute for Spine Care in Arizona Photo)...
Desert Institute for Spine Care in Arizona

5 common causes for chronic neck pain

Neck pain can debilitate one’s daily routine, yet 80% of people experience it in their lives and 20%-50% deal with it annually.
(Photo via MLB's Arizona Fall League / Twitter)...
Arizona Fall League

Top prospects to watch at this year’s Arizona Fall League

One of the most exciting elements of the MLB offseason is the Arizona Fall League, which began its 30th season Monday.
...
Quantum Fiber

Stream 4K and more with powerful, high-speed fiber internet

Picking which streaming services to subscribe to are difficult choices, and there is no room for internet that cannot handle increased demands.
Last person tied to Arizona meth ring sentenced to over 5 years in prison