AZ Bust 'Substantially Dismantles' Smuggling Ring

Updated: Friday, 28 Oct 2011, 11:31 AM MST
Published : Friday, 28 Oct 2011, 11:31 AM MST

PHOENIX - Arizona authorities say that they've substantially dismantled part of a major drug smuggling ring.

The Pinal County Sheriff's Office said Friday that they arrested a number of people and seized thousands of pounds of drugs in a Thursday bust in the Phoenix area and parts south.

The sheriff's office worked with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement on the bust

Neither agency is releasing many details, saying that they'll do at a news conference set for Monday.

But sheriff's spokesman Elias Johnson called the bust the biggest ever for his agency.

Thursday's seizure involved the same ring as another bust earlier this month in which 17 suspected drug smugglers were arrested. About 935 pounds of marijuana, 12 weapons, 1,000 rounds of ammunition and $35,000 in cash was seized in that bust.

http://www.myfoxphoenix.com/dpp/news/cr ... x-10282011