Attorney General Mayes Highlights Major Multi-Agency Drug Bust

PHOENIX – Attorney General Kris Mayes this week joined DEA Special Agent in Charge Apolonio Ruiz, Maricopa County Sheriff Jerry Sheridan, and HIDTA Director Dawn Mertz to announce the results of a major multi-agency drug operation targeting criminal organizations operating in Arizona communities.
 
The operation yielded significant seizures, including nearly 1,750 pounds of methamphetamine, more than 113 pounds of cocaine, over 11 pounds of fentanyl in pills and powder form, heroin, marijuana, and spice. Law enforcement also confiscated nearly two dozen firearms, more than two dozen vehicles, over $612,000 in cash, and $300,000 in cryptocurrency.

"Every gram of narcotics we take off the street is a potential overdose that doesn't happen, an addiction that doesn't take root, a kid who gets to keep their parent," said Attorney General Mayes. "The results of this operation represent agencies that stayed focused on a common goal: taking dangerous drugs off Arizona streets, keeping families safe, and holding the people responsible accountable."

The operation was a joint effort between the Arizona Attorney General's Office, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office, the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area program, the Surprise Police Department, the Casa Grande Police Department, the Buckeye Police Department, the Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation and Reentry, Homeland Security Investigations, and the Phoenix Police Department. Officials credited the breadth of the seizures to close coordination between agencies, each of which contributed distinct resources and expertise.

“My office remains committed to working with our partners to disrupt the flow of illicit drugs into Arizona communities and dismantle the organized criminal networks responsible for trafficking them,” said Attorney General Mayes.

The Arizona Attorney General’s Office will prosecute the cases related to these seizures.