Police: MVD Employees Involved in Trafficking Ring

Updated: Tuesday, 07 Dec 2010, 5:12 PM MST
Published : Tuesday, 07 Dec 2010, 4:58 PM MST

MESA - Mesa Police seized $300,000 worth of drugs and arrested more than a dozen suspects in a bust last week. The suspects are accused of running a drug trafficking ring with the help of employees from the Motor Vehicle Department.

The 4-month investigation culminated in 13 arrests.

Jose Marisca is a suspected illegal immigrant accused of running a major drug trafficking ring in the valley.

Court records show that agents seized hundreds of pounds of marijuana, cocaine, and meth from Marisca's home -- worth about $300,000 on the street.

Jesus Rubio was also arrested. He is accused of conspiring to conceal a drug-related homicide, smuggling large amounts of drugs across the border, money laundering, and setting up bank accounts under multiple names.

Court records show that Rubio obtained fake drivers licenses from shady MVD employees.

ADOT released the following statement: "The Arizona Department of Transportation has no direct knowledge of any criminal investigation being conducted by the city of Mesa Police Department. As with any criminal investigation by law enforcement, ADOT would fully cooperate and would defer any comment on the investigation to the law enforcement agency."

Mesa Police are expected to release more information about this case on Wednesday.

http://www.myfoxphoenix.com/dpp/news/cr ... -12-7-2010