Tempe Police Narcotics Detectives working as part of a long-standing drug task force with Special Agents from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, and in partnership with the Arizona Attorney General’s Office, recently completed a 30-month investigation resulting in the dismantling and ‘take down’ of an extensive drug trafficking network.
The network – comprised of numerous drug trafficking organizations, with ties to criminal organizations in Mexico – was responsible for the sale and transport of various types of drugs to include methamphetamine, heroin, and cocaine in and around the communities of the metro-Phoenix area, and as far away as Los Angeles, CA and Indianapolis, Indiana.
“The success of this operation, the substantial number of indictments and the significant amount of contraband, weapons and cash seized is a direct result of the hard work and coordination of local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies.” said Tempe Chief of Police Tom Ryff, “Our community has my continued commitment toward a shared goal – to protect and rid our community of criminals and criminal organizations who jeopardize the safety and security of our residents, visitors and businesses in the City of Tempe as well as the metro-Phoenix area.”
Operation Terminus resulted in the following:
● 77 state indictments
● $7.5 million dollars
● 485 pounds of methamphetamine
● 50 Kilograms of cocaine
● 4.5 pounds of heroin
● 37 firearms were seized
Tempe Police Detectives initiated the investigation after obtaining information related to drug sales in and around the Tempe/Phoenix area. Based on the information, Detectives from the Tempe Police Special Investigations Bureau (SIB), Special Agents from the Phoenix Division of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and Prosecutors from the Arizona Attorney General’s Office initiated a joint undercover investigation into this network. As the investigation unfolded, the criminal network’s size and scope became apparent – constituting a great threat to our community.
“Attacking the violent criminals who work with the Sinaloa Cartel is what we do best,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge Doug Coleman. “Operation Terminus is another example of DEA working with our state and local partners to target the entire structure of an organization, disrupt and dismantle their operations, bring them to justice, and protect our communities.”