3 Mexican nationals accused of meth smuggling in West Valley, over 130 pounds seized

PHOENIX — Three Mexican nationals were arrested on Wednesday for allegedly smuggling meth in the West Valley, officials said.

According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Arizona, Mariano Gomez Padilla, 28, Eduardo Garcia Lopez, 21, and Abel Martinez Valenzuela, 25, are each facing a charge of conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute methamphetamine.

Prosecutors said there was 133.5 pounds of drugs seized during the meth smuggling investigation.

If convicted, all three men could be sentenced from 10 years to life in prison, as well as face a fine of up to $10 million.

Details of alleged meth smuggling in West Valley

Agents with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) East Valley Drug Enforcement Task Force were surveilling an apartment in Glendale due to an expected purchase of meth.

Prosecutors said that the agents followed Gomez Padilla and Garcia Lopez as they drove together to another location in Glendale.

The agents reportedly tried to stop both vehicles but neither Gomez Padilla nor Garcia Lopez stopped.

Garcia Lopez allegedly attempted to flee on foot but was taken into custody. Meanwhile, prosecutors said that Gomez Padilla used his vehicle to hit an agent’s car as well as two parked cars. Gomez Padilla and Martinez Valenzuela, a passenger in Gomez Padilla’s car, were later detained after fleeing on foot.

According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, agents searched Garcia Lopez’s car and seized 61.75 pounds of meth. In addition, agents searched a Ford F-250 associated with the investigation and seized another 71.75 pounds of meth, packed identically to the meth found in Garcia Lopez’s car.

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