2,800 pounds of marijuana, $45k seized after traffic stop near Eloy

BrieAnna J Frank , The Republic | azcentral.com
8:09 p.m. MST November 17, 2016


(Photo: Arizona Department of Public Safety)

What started as a routine Eloy-area traffic stop Monday ultimately led to the seizure of 2,800 pounds of marijuana and $45,000.

A Department of Public Safety trooper initially stopped a black Chevrolet Cobalt on Interstate 10 for a moving violation Monday, Border Patrol authorities said.

The trooper soon "became suspicious" and got the driver's permission to search the car, officials said. The Border Patrol said the trooper found 42 pounds of marijuana, spurring an additional investigation that culminated in five felony arrests and the confiscation of more marijuana, the cash, a house and four vehicles.

The officer was working as part of Operation Stonegarden, a joint mission between U.S. Border Patrol agents and other law-enforcement agencies to secure the border.

 http://www.azcentral.com/story/news/...ized/94053724/