Phoenix -- Today Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich announced the indictment of 39-year- old Ata Hamed Taha. He was charged with Transportation of Dangerous Drugs for Sale, one count of Illegally Conducting an Enterprise, and one count of Conspiracy. The charges followed an investigation conducted by The Arizona Department of Public Safety Highway Interdiction Team.
On February 14, 2015, the Arizona Department of Public Safety (DPS) conducted a traffic stop on a commercial truck driven by Taha on the North Bound I-17 near Mile Post 215. Officers found 44 pounds of methamphetamine in a duffel bag hidden amongst a load of broccoli. The street value of the drugs is approximately $440,000. Taha was travelling from California to North Carolina where he resides.
“My office salutes DPS for its vigilance in pursuing those who use our highways to transport illegal drugs,” said Attorney General Mark Brnovich. “This indictment sends a strong message to drug traffickers -- Arizona will make every effort to identify and prosecute those attempting to pass their product through our state.”
This case was investigated by The Arizona Department of Public Safety Highway Interdiction Team and is being handled by Arizona Assistant Attorney General Nick Saccone. The Defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
For more information contact the Attorney General's Office at (602) 542-5025.