ARIZONA NEWS

3 men accused of conspiring to sell large amounts of meth in Arizona

Oct 30, 2024, 10:08 AM | Updated: 10:10 am

Arizona drug ring...

Methamphetamine is produced in a variety of forms, including powder, crystal, rocks and tablets. (U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency Photo)

(U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency Photo)

PHOENIX – Three men were recently arrested for their alleged involvement in a southern Arizona drug ring, federal authorities announced Tuesday.

Jose Gracia-Vega, 28, of Tucson, Ulises Yescas-Garcia, 23, of Tucson and Sebastian Higuera-Fuentes, 22, of Nogales, Mexico, are accused of conspiring to sell large amounts of methamphetamine in Tucson since February, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Arizona.

Methamphetamine, or meth, is a powerful and highly addictive stimulant that is often produced, or “cooked,” in crude labs using store-bought chemicals, according to the Department of Justice. The illegal drug is sold in a variety of forms, including powder, crystal, rocks and tablets.

Gracia-Vega allegedly was in possession of 27 pounds of meth he intended to sell when he was arrested as part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) Strike Force operation on Oct. 17, prosecutors said.

According to a federal criminal complaint, the other two men supplied Gracia-Vega with the drugs in a meeting that morning.

What charges do Arizona drug ring suspects face?

Gracia-Vega was charged with intent to distribute methamphetamine the day after his arrest.

Yescas-Garcia and Higuera-Fuentes, who had been named in a seven-count indictment on Oct. 2, were arrested the same day Gracia-Vega. The charges against the pair include conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, distribution of methamphetamine and aiding and abetting distribution of methamphetamine.

The investigation into the southern Arizona drug ring is being conducted by multiple federal agencies as well as the Marana Police Department, the Pima County Sheriff’s Office and the Arizona Department of Public Safety.

We want to hear from you.

Have a story idea or tip? Pass it along to the KTAR News team here.

Comments

Comment guidelines: No name-calling, personal attacks, profanity, or insults. Please keep the conversation civil and help us moderate comments by reporting abuse.
comments powered by Disqus

Arizona News

Man chopping barbecue meats in downtown Mesa...

Payne Moses

Second annual Downtown Mesa BBQ Classic set for Nov. 8-9

Pitmasters and smoky meat connoisseurs will join forces this weekend in the East Valley, as the Downtown Mesa BBQ Classic will take over for the second year running.

1 hour ago

Vice President and Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris...

Payne Moses

Harris-Walz campaign hosting Phoenix rally on eve of Election Day

The Harris-Walz campaign will be in Phoenix on the eve of the 2024 presidential, as part of its nationwide Get Out The Vote initiative.

2 hours ago

Aerial shot of property formerly Half Moon Windy City Sports Grill...

Payne Moses

Law firm transforming longtime Phoenix bar into new office space

Half Moon Windy City Sports Grill closed in February after 18 years of serving the Valley and will be repurposed into an office space for land use law firm, Withey Morris Baugh.

4 hours ago

Maricopa County early ballot drop off sign...

Associated Press

When polls close in Arizona, other battleground states on Election Day

Polls open at 6 a.m. in Arizona, which Joe Biden carried in 2020 by 0.3%. Polls will close at 7 p.m.

6 hours ago

Crime scene tape across a street in Phoenix...

Payne Moses

Police investigating north Phoenix park for homicide after finding dead body

Police are investigating a north Phoenix park for homicide after discovering a dead body in the area, authorities announced Sunday.

7 hours ago

Westbound Loop 202 Red Mountain Freeway closed due to crash. (ADOT photo)...

KTAR.com

Westbound Loop 202 Red Mountain Freeway near Scottsdale Road reopens after crash

The westbound lanes of the Loop 202 Red Mountain Freeway reopened at Loop 101 Pima on Sunday after a crash on Scottsdale Road.

8 hours ago

Sponsored Articles

...

DISC Desert Institute for Spine Care

The best methods to make your back pain disappear for good

Are you struggling with back pain that will not go away?

...

Day & Night Air Conditioning, Heating and Plumbing

It wouldn’t hurt to get your AC checked after Arizona’s excruciating heat wave

A well-maintained air conditioning unit is vital to living a comfortable life inside, away from triple-digit heat in Arizona.

...

Dr. Shanyn Lancaster, Family & Sports Medicine physician, Midwestern University Comprehensive Care Clinic – Central Phoenix

Exercise is truly your best medicine

“You never slow down, you never grow old”. – Tom Petty

3 men accused of conspiring to sell large amounts of meth in Arizona