Yellowhammer Times

An Arizona resident has been indicted in a federal drug trafficking case involving carfentanil, according to an announcement from U.S. Attorney Prim F. Escalona for the Northern District of Alabama.

Ignacio Miguel Tirado-Castillo, 19, faces two counts in U.S. District Court: conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute a fentanyl analogue and attempt to distribute a fentanyl analogue. Authorities allege that in December 2024, Tirado-Castillo mailed approximately 25 pounds of carfentanil—a highly potent synthetic opioid—to Alabama. He was arrested on August 11, 2025, in Phoenix and ordered detained following a hearing last week.

If convicted, Tirado-Castillo could face up to life in prison.

The investigation and prosecution were conducted by the Alabama Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) under Operation Take Back America. The HSTFs are joint operations led by the Department of Justice and Department of Homeland Security, established through Executive Order 14159 during the Trump administration. Operation Take Back America is a nationwide initiative that coordinates resources from several federal programs to combat illegal immigration and target criminal organizations involved in violent crime.

Additional agencies involved in the investigation include the U.S. Postal Service, Birmingham Police Department, and Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Allison J. Garnett is handling the prosecution.

"An indictment contains only charges. Defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty."