$9 million drug bust near Maricopa

Nearly $9 million worth of methamphetamine and black tar heroin were seized June 24 by the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office from a vehicle traveling north on State Route 347 just south of Maricopa.

Around 9 p.m. a sheriff’s deputy attempted to stop a 2005 Nissan Armada.

When the vehicle stopped, the front seat passenger opened his door and fled on foot eastbound through the desert. The passenger was described as a Hispanic man wearing a blue and grey striped shirt and jeans.

The female driver was later identified as Jessica Velasco, 28, of Stanfield. Inside of the Nissan deputies could see in plain view several packages of what they believed to be illegal drugs. When asked about the drugs, Velasco then told deputies that nothing in the vehicle was hers and that her husband would be upset.

An investigation revealed several individuals had smuggled the drugs from Mexico through the desert and up into Pinal County where it was loaded into the Nissan Armada for delivery to various locations throughout the United States. The vehicle contained 197 pounds of methamphetamines and 103 pounds of black tar heroin.

Velasco was booked into the Pinal County Adult Detention Center for one count each of possession of a dangerous drug, possession of a dangerous drug for sale, transportation of a dangerous drug, possession of a narcotic drug, possession of a narcotic drug for sale and transportation of a narcotic drug. She is currently being held on a $500,000 bond.

 Due to the large quantity of drugs which were seized on this case, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations responded to assist with processing and evidence collection.

 “We appreciate the assistance of our Federal Law Enforcement partners with this huge seizure,” Sheriff Paul Babeu said. “The Pinal County Sheriff’s Office continues to step up our enforcement efforts against the drug cartels of Mexico. As a result, we were able to seize nearly $9 million worth of illegal drugs before they could be distributed throughout the United States.”