The arrest of Hong Thao Thi Nguyen and Aaron Wilkie Murphy in the exclusive residential area of Marina Vallarta, in Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, accused of fentanyl trafficking and possession of firearms, revealed a long list of crimes committed in the United States.
The couple, wanted by the DEA, had taken refuge in Mexico to evade justice. However, Mexican federal authorities arrested them on February 18, 2025 after a strong intelligence operation on the main avenue of Puerto Vallarta.
A criminal record that began in Oklahoma
The first record of illicit activities of the American couple arrested in Puerto Vallarta dates back to 2013, when they were arrested for operating a brothel near a school and a church in Tulsa, Oklahoma, United States.
At that time, the authorities already had them under surveillance, as they had previously closed another similar establishment linked to them. Although they were arrested, they managed to be released after paying bail.
In 2015, Aaron Murphy was again in the crosshairs of justice for selling stolen property.
The investigation led to a search conducted on February 18, 2016, during which he was arrested in his vehicle with 118 grams of methamphetamine and a cell phone used to coordinate drug sales. Despite the seriousness of the discovery, he was released just over a month later.
In November of the same year, Murphy was arrested again after a new search of his home. During the operation, authorities found heroin floating in the toilet, methamphetamine in bags, syringes, digital scales and a telescopic sight hidden in a closet. In addition, they detected that the property was equipped with surveillance cameras.
When questioned, Murphy admitted his responsibility in the distribution of heroin and methamphetamine. After pleading guilty, he was sentenced to 70 months in prison.
Source: tribunadelabahia
