Thread: ICE, PCSO Bust Drug Smuggling Ring

ICE, PCSO Bust Drug Smuggling Ring

Updated: Thursday, 15 Sep 2011, 4:54 PM MST
Published : Thursday, 15 Sep 2011, 4:54 PM MST

PHOENIX (AP) - Authorities have arrested the alleged leader of a drug smuggling organization accused of moving thousands of pounds of marijuana in the Phoenix metropolitan area.

They say 28-year-old Jose Sarinana-Placencia was taken into custody Thursday. The arrest came after a multi-agency enforcement operation led by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's Homeland Security Investigations and the Pinal County Sheriff's Office.

Sarinana-Placencia and five members of his organization are facing state and federal drug smuggling and weapons charges.

The arrests were made authorities executed seven search warrants early Thursday at locations in Chandler, Mesa and Maricopa. Authorities also seized 10 weapons.

Federal prosecutors say Sarinana-Placencia's alleged smuggling organization is believed to have moved multiple tons of marijuana that was smuggled into Arizona from Mexico.

It's unclear whether Sarinana-Placencia has legal representation yet.

http://www.myfoxphoenix.com/dpp/news/cr ... x-09152011

ICE, Pinal County Sheriff dismantle large-scale drug smuggling organization

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) sent this bulletin at 09/16/2011 12:26 PM EDT

PHOENIX - The alleged leader of a drug smuggling organization accused of moving thousands of pounds of marijuana between Maricopa, Ariz., and the Phoenix metropolitan area was arrested Thursday following a major multi-agency enforcement operation led by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the Pinal County Sheriff's Office (PCSO).

Jose Sarinana-Placencia, 28, and five members of his organization are facing state and federal drug smuggling and weapons charges. The arrests were made after teams of law enforcement officials executed seven search warrants early Thursday morning at locations in Chandler, Ariz.; Mesa, Ariz.; and Maricopa. In addition to the arrests, officials seized 10 weapons, including a Mac-10 pistol and two ballistic vests.

http://content.govdelivery.com/bulletin ... ICE-12a8f1

September 16, 2011

Suspected head of drug-smuggling ring arrested in Arizona probe

By Jerry Seper

The Washington Times

Friday, September 16, 2011


The suspected leader of a drug-smuggling organization accused of moving thousands of pounds of Mexican marijuana into the Phoenix metropolitan area was arrested Thursday following a major multi-agency enforcement operation led by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) and the Pinal County Sheriff's Office.

Jose Sarinana-Placencia, 28, and five suspected members of his organization are facing state and federal drug smuggling and weapons charges. The arrests were made after teams of law enforcement officers executed seven search warrants early Thursday at locations in three Arizona cities — Chandler, Mesa and Maricopa. In addition to the arrests, ICE agents and sheriff’s deputies seized 10 weapons, including a Mac-10 pistol and two ballistic vests.

Sarinana’s smuggling organization is suspecting of moving multiple tons of marijuana every month. ICE and the sheriff's office opened an investigation into the organization in February. Before Thursday’s operation, the investigation had led to the seizure of approximately 3,000 pounds of marijuana, more than $300,000 in cash, nearly three pounds of cocaine and 22 weapons.

“From every indication, this organization has been a major player in moving narcotics smuggled in from Mexico to the Phoenix area,â€