2 Payson traffic stops yield $3.75M worth of pills laced with fentanyl

PHOENIX — Two separate traffic stops on Thursday in Payson resulted in the seizure of 150,000 narcotic pills laced with fentanyl that has a combined street value of $3.75 million, according to a press release from the Gila County Sheriff’s Office.

The first traffic stop occurred just before 6 p.m. on State Route 87 and Bonita Street. The vehicle tried to avoid law enforcement and fled to an area behind a Bashas’ grocery store.

One suspect was arrested, while another suspect ran into a wooded area north of the store. K-9 units located the second suspect who was taken into custody.

Officers found 50,000 narcotic pills laced with fentanyl hidden in a suitcase in the car, according to the release.

Miguel Angel Lopez Valenzuela, 36, and Jesus Acosta, 25, both from Phoenix, were arrested for transportation of a narcotic drug for sale, possession of a narcotic drug for sale, possession of a narcotic drug, possession of drug paraphernalia and unlawful flight from law enforcement.

The other traffic stop occurred three hours later and less than a mile south of the first.

Authorities during the traffic stop noticed criminal activity and deployed a task force K-9 for a drug sniff of the vehicle. A search of the car found 100,000 narcotic pills laced with fentanyl, according to the release.

Mauricio Compos Ruiz, 25, of Phoenix, was arrested for transportation of a narcotic drug for sale, possession of a narcotic drug for sale, possession of a narcotic drug x 2 and possession of drug paraphernalia.

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