Since the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office launched operation “No Drug Bust Too Small” last September, Sheriff Joe Arpaio’s Anti-Trafficking Unit has made 102 drug dealer arrests and that all-told the amount of drugs seized equates to a nearly $6 million street value.
More than 53 pounds of heroin valued at close to $1.7 million, was just recently seized, as well as 93 pounds of methamphetamine with a street value of $2.95 million.
“Emphasis today is placed on the big dealers and the big drug busts,” said Sheriff Arpaio. “With this operation, we have proved that small numbers add up to big trouble for our young people who are turned into drug addicts by these nickel and dime dealers. Therefore, it is important to investigate and address major sources of supply that are funneled down to street dealers who sell in small quantities.”
As the former head of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) in Mexico, Latin America, as well as heading the U.S. DEA offices in Texas and Arizona, Arpaio realizes that Arizona is ground zero in fighting drugs, including heroin, emanating from Mexico. “U.S. and Mexican government officials are not placing the right emphasis on the drug trafficking problem,” said Arpaio. “Specifically, our President and Secretary of State have failed to apply pressure on their counterparts in Mexico to stop the flood of drugs coming into this country. Perhaps if foreign aid were withheld, we would see some kind of movement finally on this issue that affects millions of people in our country. At least heroin trafficking and the use has become a national issue during the U.S. Presidential debate.”
Of the 102 suspects arrested, many had a laundry list of previous arrests that included Trafficking in Stolen Property, DUI’s, Weapons charges, Identity Theft, Forgery, Drug Paraphernalia and Criminal Damages. Along with the massive heroin and methamphetamine seizure, the drug catch included nearly six pounds of cocaine, more than two pounds of hashish, nearly 1700 pounds of marijuana along with plants, and crack cocaine and prescription drugs, all valued at around $1 million. A cache of 30 weapons were also seized during the operation as well as more than $169.000 in cash.
“The violence and death associated with drug crimes is well-known,” Arpaio continued. “As a result, this Office will not rest on the numbers announced here today, but will continue to make arrests, so that many more lives can be saved.”
A number of these drug dealers had young children in the homes where dangerous drugs and needles were within reach. For instance, Sheriff’s detectives from ATU determined that Adam J. Polochi (08-28-1981) was engaged in the street level sale of various drugs. In total approximately 9.3 grams of heroin, 6.6 grams of meth, 145 narcotic pills, 26.2 grams of marijuana, and $4,139.00 in cash was seized. Many of the drugs, drug residue and paraphernalia were within reach of the two children inside the home.
All those arrested were also booked into the 4th Avenue Jail on a variety of charges related to drugs. Among the suspects, 21 were first time arrests, while 81 had previous felony and misdemeanor arrests for various crimes. Five had immigration holds and three were previously released by Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
