CLEVELAND — This is an official press release from the U.S. Department of Justice (USAO - Ohio, Northern), published as received.
CLEVELAND – A 38-year-old man has pleaded guilty to his role in a drug trafficking conspiracy to transport fentanyl pills from Arizona to North Carolina.
Sadai Lopez, of Goodyear, Arizona, pleaded guilty to the following charges in the indictment:
- Conspiracy to Distribute Fentanyl
- Distribution of a Controlled Substance
According to court documents, from about August 2023 to November 2024, Lopez was engaged in trafficking illegal narcotics from Arizona to Ohio, to be further transported to North Carolina for redistribution. Investigators found that during the conspiracy, Lopez used U.S. Postal Service offices throughout the Phoenix area to mail six parcels to an accomplice in Newton Falls, Ohio. A search warrant on one of the parcels uncovered 1.150 kilograms of fentanyl pills that were contained inside of two vacuum-sealed bags.
Lopez is scheduled to be sentenced Aug. 4, 2026. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
This case was investigated by the U.S Postal Service Inspection Service.
The prosecution is being led by Assistant United States Attorney Kevin E. Bringman for the Northern District of Ohio.
About the United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS)
USPIS is the law enforcement branch of the United States Postal Service. To report mail theft or other crimes committed through, or towards, the United States Postal Service, call the USPIS at 1-877-876-2455 or visit uspis.gov/report. For more information about combatting mail theft visit uspis.gov/project-safe-delivery.
