MCSO bust in West Valley nets over $600K in drugs, guns, more
Dec 15, 2022, 9:01 AM
PHOENIX – The alleged leader of a West Valley drug ring was arrested and more than $600,000 in contraband was seized this week after a monthslong investigation, authorities said Wednesday.
The Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office said in a press release Fredy Benjamin Medrano-Erenas, 19, of Tolleson, was booked into jail on several counts related to drugs and money laundering.
Medrano-Erenas was arrested Monday at home near Lower Buckeye Road and 91st Avenue.
After executing a search warrant, members of the county’s Drug Suppression Task Force and other agencies found 72,000 fentanyl pills valued at $360,000 and black-market THC products in the house.
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Authorities said they also seized 12 handguns, two rifles, $124,544 in cash and jewelry valued at $10,000.
Besides the pills, the task force uncovered 748 grams of cocaine valued at $25,000; 5,995 grams of THC cannabis valued at $120,000; 3,320 grams of high-grade marijuana flower valued at $14,000 and 339 THC vape cartridges valued at $6,800.
MCSO said Medrano-Erenas used social media to sell the pills and black-market THC products and guns.
Detectives said they investigated the group of suspects for months and, after the arrests of several others, determined Medrano-Erenas was the source of the pills.
None of the suspects were identified.
“We continue to focus on protecting the young adults in our community through agency collaboration and good teamwork,” Sheriff Paul Penzone said in the press release.
“MCSO will continue to investigate and aggressively pursue criminals who threaten the safety of our community.”
