Drug trafficking ring in 6 states: member convicted

PHOENIX – A member of a drug trafficking ring that spanned multiple states, including Arizona, was sentenced to one year in prison and three years of probation, authorities announced Thursday.

According to the Arizona Attorney General's Office, 27-year-old Lino Bol pleaded guilty in late August to several charges related to the scheme.

In addition to admitting one count of illegally operating a business, Bol also pleaded guilty to attempted transportation for the sale of a narcotic, prosecutors said.

He is scheduled to serve his one-year sentence in the Pima County Jail.

What Did a Texas Man Accused of Fentanyl Smuggling in Arizona Do?

The Bol drug trafficking organization operated in Arizona, Texas, Iowa, North Dakota, Nebraska and Illinois. He worked for the organization's Texas cell.

He and his co-conspirators sent nearly $70,000 to Tucson in exchange for 16 packages believed to contain fentanyl, prosecutors said.

These packages contained around 16,000 tablets of the deadly drug.

“My office will continue to work tirelessly to dismantle drug trafficking organizations that supply fentanyl to Arizona and our local communities,” Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes said in a news release Thursday.

The deadly drug has been devastating to communities across the state. In Maricopa County alone, an average of over three people die every day as a result of fentanyl.

Additionally, fentanyl smuggled into the U.S. is becoming more potent, according to Maricopa County Prosecutor Rachel Mitchell.

How did Arizona authorities catch a member of a drug trafficking ring?

Law enforcement discovered Bol while investigating members of the criminal enterprise who were supplying large quantities of fentanyl to drug dealers in various states.

Specifically, they found him and his co-conspirators analyzing financial, shipping and telephone records of members like Bol who lived outside of Arizona.

Bol and the other members of the drug trafficking ring used cash and various money transfer apps to pay for fentanyl, prosecutors said.

These payments were often accompanied by shipping documents that originated in Tucson.

Authorities have intercepted some of the trafficked packages. Large quantities of fentanyl pills were stolen off the street, according to prosecutors.

“I am proud of the dedicated agents, investigators and prosecutors in the Attorney General’s Office who work every day to protect Arizonans,” Mayes said.

“Those involved in the illegal drug trade should be advised that my office, along with our law enforcement partners, will find you and bring you to justice.”