Mesa police arrest 2 men after large amount of drugs, weapons found

PHOENIX — Two men were arrested last week after large amounts of drugs and weapons were seized in searches of their homes in Mesa and Phoenix, authorities said.

Anthony J. Vega, 52, and Oscar Arrez, 32, face multiple felony charges including possession of dangerous drugs/intent to sell and misconduct involving weapons during drug offense, the Mesa Police Department said in a press release on Monday.

The arrests were part of the department’s Summer Violent Crime Reduction Project.

Officers conducted a search warrant last week on Vega’s home near Broadway Road and Mesa Drive after intelligence was developed that he was selling illegal drugs from the residence.

The search resulted in 43.7 grams of heroin, 37.2 grams of methamphetamine, 4.4 grams of cocaine, 23.1 grams of narcotic blue m-30 pills, two firearms and $5,440 being found.

Vega admitted to having the drugs inside the residence and intending to sell the illegal substances, police said.

Arrez, who was at Vega’s house during the search, was also found to be in possession of illegal drugs and weapons at his residence near McDowell Road and 59th Avenue in Phoenix, police said.

A search warrant conducted at Arrez’s residence resulted in the seizure of around 25,000 blue m-30 pills, $4,250 and 12 firearms, two of which police said were reported stolen.

Authorities said both men had extensive arrest and conviction records, including multiple charges of dangerous drug and narcotic drug possession and sales.

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