The Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office says detectives intercepted approximately 150 pounds of marijuana being smuggled into the U.S. on Thursday night.
After seeing two vehicles pull off the freeway and subjects loading bales of marijuana, detectives initiated a traffic stop.
According to MCSO’s report, the first vehicle fled the scene and crashed into a tree. Four people bailed from the truck, leaving behind the marijuana, which has a street value of over $130,000. The suspects haven’t been found.
The second vehicle with three passengers was stopped. All were taken into custody. Officials say a loaded .45 caliber handgun was inside that vehicle.
Cesar Aguirre, 28, Francisco Reyna, 25 and Felix Saenz, 29, were taken into custody and booked into the 4th Avenue Jail in Phoenix.
“This week, my deputies have intercepted nearly fifteen hundred pounds of marijuana and will continue to crack down on the drug pushers by concentrating on the street level dealers in the near future,” stated Arpaio.