On Wednesday, August 10, 2022, Arizona Department of Public Safety (AZDPS) detectives arrested one suspect and seized 35.7 pounds of fentanyl pills near State Route 101 and Chandler Boulevard, in Chandler, following a drug trafficking investigation.

The suspect, 30-year-old Braulio de Diego, of Mesa, was arrested and booked into the Maricopa County Jail on charges including possession of a narcotic drug and possession of a narcotic drug for sale. Detectives located 35.7 pounds of fentanyl – approximately 150,000 pills – in his vehicle. The street value of the pills is estimated at over $525,000.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection and Homeland Security Investigations assisted AZDPS with this investigation.

On Monday, August 15, 2022, an Arizona Department of Public Safety (AZDPS) trooper initiated a traffic stop on the driver of a 2012 Audi SUV on northbound Interstate 17, at milepost 264, north of Cordes Junction. During the traffic stop, the trooper observed multiple indicators of criminal activity. A subsequent search of the vehicle led to the discovery of approximately 162 pounds of methamphetamine.

The suspect driver, 36-year-old Sergio Rosas of Minneapolis, Minnesota, was arrested and booked into the Yavapai County Jail on charges including possession, transportation, and sale of a dangerous drug.

On Wednesday, August 24, 2022, an Arizona Department of Public Safety (AZDPS) trooper initiated a traffic stop on the driver of a 2010 Volkswagen Jetta sedan for moving violations on westbound Interstate 10 at milepost 226, near Red Rock. During the traffic stop, the trooper observed multiple indicators of criminal activity. A subsequent search of the vehicle led to the discovery of approximately 46 pounds of suspected fentanyl pills concealed in natural compartments within the vehicle.

The suspect driver, 20-year-old Izayah D. Ocasio, of Phoenix, was arrested and booked into the Pinal County Jail on charges including possession, transportation, and sale of narcotic drugs.

The drugs were being smuggled from Nogales, Mexico, to the Phoenix area.

On the evening of Wednesday, September 7, 2022, an Arizona Department of Public Safety (AZDPS) trooper initiated a traffic stop on the driver of a maroon Chrysler sedan on westbound Interstate 10 at milepost 226, near Red Rock. During the traffic stop, the trooper observed multiple indicators of criminal activity. A subsequent search of the vehicle led to the discovery of approximately 266 pounds of methamphetamine hidden in the vehicle.

The suspect driver, 23-year-old Carlos D. Celaya, a resident of Tucson, was arrested and booked into the Pinal County Jail on felony drug charges.

Earlier that afternoon, an AZDPS trooper stopped the driver of a white Chevrolet sedan on Interstate 10 westbound at milepost 231, near Marana. During a consent search of the vehicle, troopers discovered approximately 30.45 pounds of methamphetamine concealed in non-factory compartments.

The driver of the Chevrolet, 61-year-old Jesus R. Enriquez, also a resident of Tucson, was booked into the Pima County Jail on felony drug charges.

On Thursday, September 8, 2022, detectives with the Arizona Department of Public Safety (AZDPS) Vehicle Theft Task Force (VTTF), the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office (YCSO) and Prescott Valley Police Department (PVPD) arrested 39-year-old Todd Dawkins, of Prescott, on numerous felony and misdemeanor charges related to the illegal sale of stolen catalytic converters in the last 18 months.

While serving a search warrant on Dawkins’ property, investigators also seized approximately 350 catalytic converters (worth over $250,000).

On Friday, September 16, 2022, Dawkins was indicted on numerous charges related to fraudulent schemes and artifices, trafficking in stolen property, illegal control of an enterprise and money laundering.

VTTF is comprised of city, county, state law enforcement agencies participating in a concerted effort to identify, apprehend, and prosecute individuals and criminal organizations that profit from the theft of motor vehicles and related crimes.

The VTTF serves a vital mission on behalf of the Arizona Automobile Theft Authority (AATA) to reduce vehicle theft in Arizona by deterring criminal activity through effective and proactive enforcement, prosecution, and public awareness programs. THE VTTF is substantially funded by an annual grant from the AATA.

On Wednesday, September 14, 2022, an Arizona Department of Public Safety (AZDPS) trooper initiated a traffic stop on the driver of a Ford Fusion sedan on northbound Interstate 19 at kilometer 80, near Sahuarita, AZ.

During the traffic stop, the trooper observed multiple indicators of criminal activity. A subsequent search of the vehicle led to the discovery of 52 pounds of suspected fentanyl pills concealed within a compartment built into the vehicle's rocker panels. The suspected fentanyl was being smuggled from Nogales, Mexico, to Tucson.

The suspect driver, 28-year-old Andres Ramirez-Sanchez of Douglas, Arizona, was arrested and booked into the Pima County Jail on charges including possession, transportation, and sale of narcotic drugs.