United States Drug Enforcement Administration

WICHITA, Kan. – A California man was sentenced today to eight years in federal prison for transporting fentanyl and heroin to Kansas, U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister said.

Mauricio Canas, 24, Bermuda Dunes, Calif., pleaded guilty to one count of interstate transportation in furtherance of drug trafficking and one count of using a phone in furtherance of drug trafficking. In his plea, Canas admitted he and a co-defendant were stopped in Thomas County for a traffic violation. In the car, troopers found more than nine pounds of fentanyl and more than eight pounds of heroin.

Investigators learned Canas was transporting the drugs from California to New York for distribution when he passed through Kansas. He used a phone to communicate with his contacts in New York.

Co-defendant Eduardo Arellano-Sanchez is set for sentencing Feb. 16.

The Drug Enforcement Administration, Kansas City District Office, investigated the case with the Kansas Highway Patrol.