On Thursday, August 3, 2023, an Arizona Department of Public Safety (AZDPS) trooper initiated a traffic stop on the driver of a white Dodge Ram for a non-moving violation on westbound Interstate 10 at milepost 208, in Eloy. During the traffic stop, the trooper observed several indicators of criminal activity. During a subsequent vehicle search, troopers located approximately 51 pounds of suspected fentanyl pills concealed within the truck.

The driver, 27-year-old Alonso Martinez-Zepeda, of Sinaloa, Mexico, was arrested and booked into the Pinal County Jail on charges including possession and transportation of a narcotic drug for sale.

Investigators believe the pills were being transported from Nogales, Mexico, to the Phoenix area.

The pills have an estimated street value of $694,000.

On Thursday, June 23, 2022, an Arizona Department of Public Safety (AZDPS) trooper stopped the driver of a GMC Sierra pickup truck for moving violations on Interstate 8 eastbound near milepost 63, in Roll, Arizona. During the traffic stop, the trooper observed indications of criminal activity. While conducting a search of the vehicle, the trooper located approximately 93.5 pounds of methamphetamine concealed throughout the truck.

The suspect driver, 27-year-old Jesus Alvarado-Flores, of Yuma, was booked into the Yuma County Jail on charges including possession and transportation of dangerous drugs and possession of drug paraphernalia.

On Tuesday, June 28, 2022, Arizona Department of Public Safety (AZDPS) detectives arrested three suspects near 75th Avenue and McDowell Road in Phoenix following a drug smuggling investigation.

The suspects include 70-year-old Ramon M. Mendez, of Blythe, CA; 72-year-old Socorro P. Martinez, of Westmoreland, CA; and a 17-year-old male.

Detectives performed a search of Martinez’s vehicle and located approximately 64.3 pounds of methamphetamine.

Mendez and Martinez face charges including possession, transportation, and sale of a dangerous drug. Charges against the juvenile suspect are pending.

Homeland Security Investigations and the AZDPS SWAT team, Highway Patrol Division and Scientific Analysis Bureau assisted with this investigation.