Troopers Seize More Than 73 Pounds of Methamphetamine, 64 Pounds of Fentanyl Pills in Two Traffic Stops | Arizona Department of Public Safety
Skip to main content
Arizona Department of Public Safety Logo
Arizona Department of Public Safety
ARIZONA STATE TROOPERS

Main menu

  • Home
  • The Colonel
    • Command Staff
    • Fallen Troopers
    • Organization
      • Office of the Director
      • Agency Support Division
      • Criminal Investigations Division
      • Highway Patrol Division
      • Technical Services Division
      • Major Incidents Division
      • Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Taskforce (Division)
  • Services
    • Public Services
      • Public Services Center
        • Claim Personal Property
        • Concealed Weapons & Permits
        • Courts and Traffic Ticket Information
        • File a Commendation
        • Household Goods Enforcement
        • Missing Children Search
        • Sex Offender Compliance
        • Tow Truck Application
      • Public Services Portal
        • Fingerprint Clearance Card
        • Licensing
        • Records Request
    • Enforcement Services
      • Chaplaincy Program
      • Commercial Vehicle Enforcement
      • DUI Enforcement
      • GIITEM
      • Impaired Driving
      • Move Over Law
      • Scrap Metal Theft Database
      • Student Transportation
      • WANTED Fugitive Tips
    • Governmental Services
      • ADRS
      • ADOT
      • AFIS
      • Crime Laboratory
        • Simplified Laboratory Reports
        • Quality Assurance
        • Blood Alcohol
        • Toxicology
        • Controlled Substances
        • Latent Prints
        • Firearms/Toolmarks
        • Trace Evidence
        • Questioned Documents
        • DNA Scientific Services
        • Field Services
        • Property and Evidence
      • Crime Victim Services
      • NCJ
      • Tow Program
      • SWIC
  • Department Information
    • Boards & Councils
      • Law Enforcement Merit System Council
      • Retirement Board Meetings
    • Commitments
      • Accessibility
      • Mission Statement
      • Values
    • History
    • Insignia
    • Reports & Publications
      • Budget Request
      • Holiday Enforcement Figures
      • Strategic Plans
    • Request Records
  • Careers
    • Become a Trooper
    • Become a Trooper Trainee
    • Become a Dispatcher
    • Civilian Careers
    • Benefits
    • DPS Jobs & Descriptions
    • Job Interest Card
    • Job Openings
    • Equal Employment Opportunity Policy
    • Volunteer
    • Selection Guidelines
  • News
    • AZDPS News
    • Digest Blog
    • AZDPS Alerts System
      • Amber Alerts
      • Blue Alerts
      • Silver Alerts
    • Public Announcements
      • Retirement Board Meetings
      • Law Enforcement Merit System Council
        • Decisions
        • Meeting Agendas
    • Public Affairs Unit
  • Safety
    • AZDPS Alert System
    • Safety Messages
      • Aggressive Driving
      • Driver Fatigue
      • Drop House Awareness
      • Freeway Camera & Road Conditions
      • Impaired Driving
      • Motorcycles
      • Move Over Law
      • Precursor Chemicals
      • Seat Belt Safety
      • Share The Road
      • What to Do and Expect When Pulled Over by Law Enforcement
      • Weather Safety Tips
    • Task Forces
      • Arizona Vehicle Theft Task Force (AVTTF)
      • Arizona WANTED Task Force
    • Special Programs
  • Contact Us
  • Home
  • Troopers Seize More Than 73 Pounds of Methamphetamine, 64 Pounds of Fentanyl Pills in Two Traffic Stops

Public Affairs

 

Subscribe to AZDPS News Releases
Contact the Public Affairs Unit 
Submit a Tip 

Troopers Seize More Than 73 Pounds of Methamphetamine, 64 Pounds of Fentanyl Pills in Two Traffic Stops

Thursday, January 26, 2023
- For Immediate Release -

On the morning of Wednesday, January 18, 2023, an Arizona Department of Public Safety (AZDPS) trooper initiated a traffic stop on the driver of a Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck for moving violations on westbound Interstate 10 at milepost 239, near Marana.

During the traffic stop, the trooper observed numerous indicators of criminal activity. During a search of the vehicle, troopers discovered approximately 51.95 pounds of methamphetamine, 28.10 pounds of fentanyl pills, and 2.45 pounds of fentanyl powder.

The suspect driver, 27-year-old Carlos Calixtro-Varela, and passenger, 30-year-old Francisco Calixtro-Varela, both residents of Tucson, were arrested and booked into the Pima County Jail on charges including possession, transportation, and sale of narcotic drugs and dangerous drugs.

Investigators determined the drugs were being smuggled from Tucson to Marana.

Later the same day, another trooper stopped the driver of a Jeep SUV on northbound Interstate 17 at milepost 263, near Cordes Junction. Indicators of criminal activity were observed during the stop, and a drug detection canine alerted to the vehicle. During a subsequent vehicle search, troopers located approximately 36 pounds of fentanyl pills and 21.5 pounds of methamphetamine concealed in the vehicle.

The suspect driver, 32-year-old Jose Espinoza-Gil, and passenger, 42-year-old Luciano Zamudio, both from Phoenix, were arrested and booked into the Yavapai County Jail on charges including possession, transportation, and sale of narcotic drugs and dangerous drugs.

The fentanyl and methamphetamine in this incident were being smuggled from the Phoenix area to Denver, Colorado.

Fentanyl and methamphetamine bundled in brown wrapping in the bed of a pickup truck Black plastic bags in the back seat of a vehicle Bundles of methamphetamine and fentanyl piled on top of each other in a cardboard box Bundles of drugs seen sticking out of a black bag in the back of a pickup truck

Contact Us: 
[email protected]
###
Arizona State Seal
Location Information
Arizona Department of Public Safety
2222 W. Encanto Blvd.
Phoenix, AZ 85009
Find in Google Maps
Phone: 602.223.2000
Map Image

Copyright © Arizona Department of Public Safety – All rights reserved.

  • Contact Us
  • Statewide Policies
  • GOVERNOR'S REGULATORY REVIEW COUNCIL
  • Notice of Title VI Program Rights
  • Social Media User Policy
  • Website Accessibility
  • Website Supported by CSU