Deputies seize $96,000 worth of marijuana

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Pinal County Sheriff’s Office deputies seized $96,000 worth of marijuana Sunday following a vehicle pursuit that began on Interstate 8.

 A deputy was heading east on the highway around 4:30 a.m. and tried to stop a 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser for a traffic violation, but the car failed to yield.

The car eventually exited at Bianco Road and turned south until it reached the Central Arizona Canal. The car then turned west and stopped after traveling along the canal bank for about three-quarters of a mile.

 The doors to the vehicle opened and two or three males ran south into the desert. One of the males was carrying a large bundle. The driver of the vehicle then continued to travel west and finally turned north into the desert. The vehicle suddenly stopped and the driver fled carrying a large bundle as well.

The deputy cleared the car and found five bundles of packaged marijuana. While deputies were looking for the suspects, they came across another bundle which appeared to be the same one the driver was seen running away with after the car had stopped.

The driver and passengers were never found. The marijuana weighed 128 pounds with a street value of $96,000.