PCSO arrests woman for smuggling drugs, humans

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A Chandler woman was arrested southwest of Maricopa today for conspiracy to smuggle marijuana for sale and human trafficking.

At approximately 5:30 a.m., a Pinal County Sheriff’s office deputy on patrol noticed two vehicles traveling west on State Route 84 near the junction at Interstate 8.

As the deputy followed the vehicles, the lead vehicle, a 1997 Ford Expedition, turned east off SR 84 as the trailing vehicle, a 2004 Chevrolet sedan, fell behind. The deputy observed several other indicators that led him to believe the vehicles were involved in some type of smuggling operation.

When the deputy turned on his emergency lights to stop the Expedition, the SUV pulled off the roadway and two suspects fled into the desert. As the deputy secured the vehicle, he could see several bundles of marijuana, which weighed about 300 pounds.