Manuel Amador-Aispuro (from left), Ramon Martinez and Josue Teran Grandarills were arrested in Maricopa Wednesday. PCSO photos

Three men were arrested by Pinal County Sheriff’s Office on Wednesday near Cobblestone Farms on charges of transporting 283 pounds of marijuana.

Manuel Amador-Aispuro, 19, Ramon Martinez, 21, and Josue Teran Grandarills, 21, were taken into custody at 9:30 a.m. They allegedly admitted to being in the country illegally.

The three had led PCSO on a high-speed chase after initially being stopped for speeding at Ralston and Mockingbird Lane southwest of Maricopa. A PCSO helicopter tracked their SUV into Maricopa.

The three men stopped in the residential area near State Route 238 and SR 347 and fled on foot. The helicopter crew led the deputies on the ground to their locations.

All three men were booked on charges of possession of marijuana for use, possession of marijuana for sale and transportation of marijuana. Amador, the driver, was also charged with unlawful flight from law enforcement.

They were booked into the PCSO detention facility and each has a $50,000 bond. Their court hearing is set for Nov. 4 in Superior Court.

Carlos Avalos
Carlos Avalos

Also arrested Wednesday by PCSO in an unrelated incident, Maricopa resident Carlos Avalos, 46, was charged with a dangerous drug violation.

He was arrested at 9:47 a.m. His bond is $25,000, and his preliminary hearing is set for Nov. 1.