NOVEMBER 25, 2015

678 pounds of marijuana seized, 2 smugglers arrested near Casa Grande

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A 5 p.m. on Nov. 18, PCSO deputies arrested two drug smugglers from Mexico and interdicted 29 bundles of marijuana, weighing 678 pounds. The street value of the marijuana is estimated to be $339,000.

A Pinal County Sheriff’s deputy observed a dark colored Chevrolet Trailblazer travelling over the speed limit on Interstate 8 near Montgomery Road. Before getting close enough to attempt a traffic stop, the vehicle exited on Montgomery Road and fled northbound. The deputy observed the truck turn west onto Cornman Road and then north on Calle de Alicia. As the deputy got close enough, he saw that the two occupants of the truck had fled on foot and left the vehicle running in the middle of the road with the doors open. Inside the vehicle, the deputy discovered it was loaded with 29 bundles of marijuana.

A resident was in his front yard and saw the bail-out. He told the deputy the direction the two smugglers had fled through his property. Other deputies came to the area to aid in the search. After about 10 minutes of searching, both suspects were arrested. Deputies interviewed both suspects. One, identified as Francisco Estrada Vizcarra, a 17-year-old Mexican national.

Sheriff Paul Babeu said, "'Francisco told deputies that he crossed the border carrying the marijuana with 13 other smugglers and they split up as they got close to the highway. They were picked up by the dark Chevrolet SUV along Interstate 8 just prior to the deputy spotting them. We only arrested two and have no clue where the others have gone. This happens every day and every night, it seems we're only scratching the surface to this problem."

Francisco identified the other suspect in custody as the driver, VENTURA ZAVALA ANGULO, a 20-year-old Mexican national. Ventura was interviewed and denied any involvement with the vehicle or the marijuana, but admitted to being in the county illegally.

Sheriff Paul Babeu went on to say, “The illegal we identified as the driver of the SUV admitted to deputies that he had previously been deported two or three times. Now that he’s in our custody, we will do everything in our power to make sure the revolving door at the border stops and he’s held accountable for his crimes in Pinal County.”

Both suspects remain in custody with PCSO and are facing Class 2 felony charges for drug smuggling.