PCSO traffic stop leads to drug seizure

Two men were arrested and 14 bundles of marijuana with an estimated street value of $262,500 confiscated March 18 after a traffic stop near State Routes 84 and 347, according to the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office.

The driver of the vehicle was identified as Miguel Gomez-Valdez, 21 of Mexico, and the passenger as Rodolfo Celaya-Leyva, 27 of Mexico.

The deputy stopped a Chevy sports utility vehicle about 8:30 a.m. after he observed the driver committing a traffic violation. As he approached the vehicle, the occupants rolled down their windows and he could smell the odor of marijuana coming from inside of the vehicle.

When the deputy looked into the vehicle, he could see several packaged bundles of marijuana in the rear seat, passenger’s side front floorboard and the rear cargo section. There was also a hand-held Kenwood portable radio on top of the marijuana bundles in the rear seat.

The deputy seized 14 bundles of marijuana weighing a total of 330 pounds. There were three cellphones as well.

The PCSO’s anti-smuggling unit took over the investigation with the assistance of the U.S. Border Patrol. Both suspects admitted to being in the United States illegally, according to a press release.