Arizona Department of Public Safety seizes nearly $4 million in meth near Gila Bend

On Friday, May 6, 2011, a DPS officer stopped a Ford F-150 on State Route 85 near Gila Bend, Ariz. During the traffic stop, the officer became suspicious of criminal activity. A U.S. Customs and Border Protection narcotics canine officer responded to the scene and provided assistance. Following a subsequent search of the pickup, officers discovered a total of 217 pounds (98.5 kilos) of methamphetamine with a street value of $3,854,000 and four-pounds (1.88 kilos) of white heroin within the vehicle. The driver, Miguel Bustamante, 33, and the passenger, Emmanuel Roque, 21, both of San Luis, Ariz. were arrested and booked at the Maricopa County 4^th Avenue Jail on felony drug charges to include transportation of narcotics for sale, transportation of a dangerous drug for sale, possession of narcotics for sale and possession of a dangerous drug for sale.

“This drug seizure is exemplary of the cooperation that exists between DPS and our federal partners in U.S. Customs and Border Protection along the southern border region,” said Robert Halliday, director of the Arizona Department of Public Safety. “It’s important to note the significance of this seizure. Typically in a calendar year DPS will seize less than 200 pounds of methamphetamine. It’s vital to get this dangerous drug off the streets and out of our communities”