United States Drug Enforcement Administration

PHOENIX - DEA Special Agents and Tempe Police Narcotics Detectives working as part of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task (OCDETF) Strike Force, and in partnership with the Arizona Attorney General’s Office, recently completed a 30-month investigation resulting in the dismantling and ‘take down’ of an extensive drug trafficking network.

The network - comprised of numerous drug trafficking organizations, with ties to criminal organizations in Mexico - was responsible for the sale and transport of various types of drugs to include methamphetamine, heroin, and cocaine in and around the communities of the metro-Phoenix area, and as far away as Los Angeles, CA and Indianapolis, Indiana.    

“Attacking the violent criminals who work with the Sinaloa Cartel is what we do best,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge Doug Coleman.  “Operation Terminus is another example of DEA working with our state and local partners to target the entire structure of an organization, disrupt and dismantle their operations, bring them to justice, and protect our communities.”

Operation Terminus resulted in the following:

• 77 state indictments
• $7.5  million dollars
• 485 pounds of methamphetamine
• 50 Kilograms of cocaine
• 4.5 pounds of heroin
• 37 firearms were seized

This investigation was initiated after investigators received information related to drug sales in and around the Tempe/Phoenix area.  Based on the information, Special Agents from the Phoenix Division of the U.S. Drug Enforcement (DEA), Detectives from the Tempe Police Special Investigations (SIB), and Prosecutors from the Arizona Attorney General’s Office initiated a joint investigation into this drug network.  As the investigation unfolded, the criminal network’s size and scope became apparent. 

“The success of this operation, the substantial number of indictments and the significant amount of contraband, weapons and cash seized is a direct result of the hard work and coordination of local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies.”  Said Tempe Chief of Police Tom Ryff, “Our community has my continued commitment toward a shared goal - to protect and rid our community of criminals and criminal organizations who jeopardize the safety and security of our residents, visitors and businesses in the City of Tempe as well as the metro-Phoenix area.”  -