A Youngstown, Ohio resident pleaded guilty on Apr. 30 to charges related to a drug trafficking conspiracy that involved shipping fentanyl pills from Arizona to Ohio.
Alijaha Scott, age 25, admitted guilt to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances and interstate travel in aid of racketeering. According to court documents, Scott and others shipped parcels containing fentanyl pills from Arizona for redistribution in the Youngstown area between April 2022 and 2024. Authorities said that on Aug. 2, 2023, Scott traveled from Ohio to Arizona, mailed a parcel back home containing drugs, then returned by plane. Law enforcement stopped him on Interstate 80 after his return and found a vacuum-sealing machine in his suitcase—equipment often used for packaging bulk drugs or cash for smuggling. Cellphone evidence also showed Scott communicating with another conspirator about fentanyl pills.
Scott is scheduled for sentencing on Aug. 4 before a federal district court judge who will consider the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
The case is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159: Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF coordinates efforts across agencies against criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, human smuggling rings operating within the United States and abroad. The task force places special emphasis on investigating crimes involving children and uses all available tools against violent criminal aliens.
Assistant United States Attorney James P. Lewis is leading the prosecution for the Northern District of Ohio.
The U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio promotes community safety through outreach programs and victim services across northern Ohio according to its official website. This office serves as chief federal law enforcement authority under the Department of Justice according to its official website, enforcing laws related not only to national security but also public corruption while defending civil suits brought against the United States according to its official website. Its jurisdiction covers forty northern counties in Ohio according to its official website with offices located in Cleveland, Toledo, Akron and Youngstown according to its official website. The office collaborates with schools as well as local law enforcement agencies according to its official website.
