DEA dismantles Southern Arizona drug trafficking ring
(PHOENIX) - The DEA announced the arrest of two individuals as a result of a two-year investigation into a Douglas area drug trafficking ring. Agents from the DEA’s Sierra Vista Resident Office coordinated a multi-agency enforcement operation today, serving three state of Arizona authorized warrants at two residences and one business identified by investigators.
“Drug traffickers have a misconception that they can conceal their illicit activities by hiding themselves in rural areas of our state,” said Doug Coleman, Special Agent in Charge of DEA in Arizona. “However, DEA agents will never relent in their pursuit of criminals who traffic these dangerous drugs in our communities and throughout our country.”
Agents were able to develop information from several leads which led them to identify the main target, Jose Durazo, and his coconspirators, who were allegedly involved in bulk marijuana smuggling from Mexico, and into the U.S for further distribution. Agents further discovered the organization utilized various techniques, including air cannons, vehicles with hidden compartments and parcel service companies like UPS and FedEx to distribute marijuana across the country. To date, agents have seized over 1,600 pounds of marijuana destined for other U.S. cities.
The operation was led by DEA’s Sierra Vista Resident Office, and supported by HSI-Douglas, U.S. Border Patrol as well as detectives from the Douglas Police Department and the Cochise County Sheriff’s Office. All defendants were booked into Cochise County jail, pending further proceedings. This investigation will be prosecuted by the Cochise County Attorney’s Office.
