MCSO narcotic-trafficking sting turns up millions in drugs

PHOENIX — Drugs, cash and human remains were found during a month-long narcotics smuggling sting operation in the Valley.

Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office deputies and volunteer posse members spent the month of October cracking down on drug trafficking in Arizona as a part of “Operation Borderline.”

Sheriff Joe Arpaio said the operation turned up nearly 2.5 tons of marijuana, 26 pounds of meth and 11 pounds of heroin.

“So it has been somewhat of a beneficial operation during the month,” Arpaio said. “My narcotic detectives did a good job but this is just the beginning because were now launching a concentration on drug trafficking.”

The estimated street value of the drugs is nearly $4 million. Six vehicles and $147,349 in cash were seized as well.

“So doing these operations sometimes you can say is self-sufficient because a lot of the money we seize from dope peddlers, we turn around and use that money to catch more dope peddlers,” Arpaio said.

Arpaio said they also found the remains of two victims partially buried in the desert outside Phoenix. During the final phase of Operation Borderline, MCSO used several aircrafts and all-terrain vehicles to catch drug smugglers wandering the desert.

“Obviously the need exists for a continuous law enforcement emphasis using all the necessary equipment to track and arrest these drug traffickers as well as local drug dealers,” Arpaio said. “This October operation marks the beginning of a more concerted effort by my office to fight drug traffic and drug abuse.”

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