A man caught with more than 15 pounds of methamphetamine and an AR-15 rifle during a traffic check in Phoenix was sentenced to five years in jail last week, police said Thursday.
Luis Fernando Gaxiola-Simons had already pled guilty to one count of dangerous drug transportation for sale and one count of weapons misconduct.
On September 29, a Maricopa County judge imposed the penalty, which included a total fine and surcharge of $5,370, according to the Arizona Attorney General’s Office.
What led to man being sentenced on drug and weapon charges?
Gaxiola-Simons was detained on May 23 after authorities pulled him over for a traffic violation. According to prosecutors, the AR-15 was clearly visible between the passenger seat and center console at the time.
Furthermore, Gaxiola-Simons was in possession of three loaded cartridges for the semi-automatic rifle, which had been defaced, authorities claimed.
A search of the car turned up 15.54 pounds of meth in 15 burrito-shaped packets.
“In addition to fentanyl and carfentanil, we’re stopping an increasing number of transnational drug traffickers transporting methamphetamine and cocaine through Arizona,” state Attorney General Kris Mayes said in a press release.
“My criminal division remains laser-focused on prosecuting individuals responsible for the scourge of drugs coming over our southern border. If you are trafficking drugs through Arizona, you will be found and you will be held accountable.”