14 arrested in Tucson drug-trafficking ring

by JJ Hensley - Jan. 27, 2012 09:42 PM
The Republic | azcentral.com

A coalition of local and federal investigators arrested 14 suspected members of a drug-trafficking organization this week in Tucson.

Investigators believe the group had operated for more than 10 years, smuggling large quantities of marijuana and cocaine into the United States through Nogales and frequently hiding the drugs in dump trucks to conceal the cargo as it crossed the border, according to the federal Drug Enforcement Administration.

After the drugs arrived in the U.S., the organization stored the cocaine and marijuana at homes in Nogales, Rio Rico, Tucson and Phoenix, according to federal agents.

The drug ring began to unravel in December 2010 after law-enforcement officers seized more than 2,800 pounds of pot in a belly-dump truck. Within the next seven months, officers would seize more than 80 pounds of pot, nearly 20 kilograms of cocaine and more than $15,000 during six separate busts, according to the DEA.

The 14 suspects face allegations including drug smuggling, money laundering and misconduct involving weapons.

14 arrested in Tucson drug-trafficking ring