2 Suspected Drug Traffickers Arrested after 20-Mile Chase

Updated: Wednesday, 24 Aug 2011, 4:04 PM MST
Published : Wednesday, 24 Aug 2011, 4:04 PM MST



CASA GRANDE, Ariz. - Two Mexican citizens illegally in possession of nine weapons and thousands of rounds of ammunition have been arrested following a vehicle pursuit in Pinal County.

The arrests stemmed from a joint operation between ICE, Homeland Security Investigations, Border Patrol, and the Pinal County Sheriff's Office.

Deputies and agents had their eye on a grey 4-door sedan that was suspected of transporting drugs and weapons between Phoenix and the Mexican border.

Deputies tried to initiate a traffic stop on the vehicle in Maricopa on Monday, but it fled south and a pursuit ensued.

After a 20-mile chase, authorities found the vehicle disabled beside a dirt road south of I-8 at Smith Road. All the doors were open and no one was inside, but a large amount of ammunition was found in the trunk.

The suspects were apprehended several hundred yards from the vehicle. They were identified as Javier Garcia-Torres, 39, and Horacio Rios-Trapero, 22, from Mexico, and they were in the country illegally.

They were booked into the Pinal County Jail on charges stemming from the pursuit and federal charges are pending.

Several large backpacks were also found a short distance away from the vehicle. Inside authorities found numerous weapons, magazines, holsters, 2-way radios, and drug money ledgers.

"Through the strong partnerships we have with the Pinal County Sheriff's Office and other law enforcement agencies, we are identifying these smuggling networks and deterring their ability to move contraband in Arizona," said Matt Allen, special agent in charge of ICE HSI in Arizona. "It takes a team effort to disrupt the smuggling organizations working here, and my agents are proud to stand shoulder to shoulder with Pinal County and the Border Patrol to protect our citizens from criminal activity."

www.myfoxphoenix.com