9 Arrests in 3-Day Smuggling Operation

Updated: Tuesday, 22 Nov 2011, 4:12 PM MST
Published : Tuesday, 22 Nov 2011, 4:12 PM MST

GILA BEND - The Maricopa County Sheriff's Office is announcing the arrests of nine people following a drug smuggling crackdown in the southern part of the county, along the I-8 corridor.

The area is known as the Vekol Valley, a drug smuggling corridor.

Over the course of the operation, authorities collected two tons of marijuana, seized two vehicles, and arrested nine.

The suspects have been identified as: Cruz Ramirez, Felipe Trinidad, Francisco Amparana, Francisco Cuevas, Jose Jimenez, Juan Lopez, Miguel Garcia, Roberto Chaira, and Uriel Parra.

"This seems to be the normal method of operation for these smugglers, abandoning the marijuana, and fleeing into the nearby desert," stated Sheriff Joe Arpaio.

http://www.myfoxphoenix.com/dpp/news/cr ... 11-22-2011