Mesa police seize about $1M in drugs, dozens of guns during summer operation

PHOENIX – More than $1 million worth of illegal drugs and dozens of guns were seized as part of a 15-week operation focused on reducing violent crime in Mesa, authorities said Monday.

Nearly 650 arrests, about half for felony offenses, were made during Operation Summer Project, according to a Mesa Police Department press release.

Police in Arizona’s third-largest city reported the following results from the operation, which ran from June 30 to Oct. 8:

• 84,603 fentanyl pills seized; estimated street value of $846,000.
• 32,800 grams of methamphetamine seized; estimated street value of $180,700.
• 784 grams of cocaine seized; estimated street value of $142,700.
• 73 firearms seized.
• 317 adult felony arrests.
• 321 adult misdemeanor arrests.
• 3 juvenile felony arrests.
• 4 juvenile misdemeanor arrests.
• 148 felony warrants cleared.
• 213 misdemeanor warrants cleared.
• 136 DUI arrests for alcohol.
• 33 DUI arrests for drugs.

Police said residents submitting tips played a role in the success of the operation.

“The work performed by the officers, detectives and professional staff in this operation is a good example of the commitment of the Mesa Police Department to making the streets of Mesa safer for our community through strategic planning, intelligence-led policing, technology and hard work,” the department said in the release.

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