Massive Drug Raid South of Phoenix

3K lbs. of pot, 49 people arrested in Pinal County

Updated: Monday, 20 Dec 2010, 3:46 PM MST
Published : Monday, 20 Dec 2010, 3:28 PM MST

PHOENIX - More than 3,000 pounds of pot has been recovered and 49 people are in custody following a multi-police agency task force bust in Pinal County.

The Department of Public Safety says state, local and federal police gathered intelligence, evidence and carried out the raids in the Vekol Valley halfway between Casa Grande and Gila Bend.

The area is known as the drug trafficking corridor of the southwest.

In all, authorities determine the street value of all the drugs seized at $1,540,200. In addition to illicit drugs, the task force collected seven firearms, including five handguns and two assault rifles, and 16 vehicles -- eight of them stolen.

Most of the suspects arrested are believed to be in the country illegally. They will face state charges in regards to possession and transportation of marijuana for sale, as well as other state crimes. Some will be charged federally.

DPS Director Robert Halliday says the busts are expected to make a substantial impact in depriving drug smugglers of their profits.

The operation ran from Wednesday to Sunday.

http://www.myfoxphoenix.com/dpp/news/im ... 12-20-2010