A Pinal County Sheriff’s deputy arrested two men Wednesday on suspicion of illegal drug activity on State Route 347 just north of the city at milepost 181.
More than 715 pounds of marijuana, estimated street value $537,000, was seized from a 2000 Ford Expedition after a deputy observed a traffic violation.
The driver of the vehicle was identified as Abdul Cortes-Reyes, 24, of Sonora, Mexico, and the passenger was identified as Ignacio Cienfuego-Varela, 31, also of Sonora.
The deputy smelled a strong odor of marijuana coming from inside the vehicle. He could also see in plain view several bundles that appeared to contain marijuana.
Cortes-Reyes and Cienfuego-Varela admitted to deputies they were in the United States illegally and that there was marijuana in the vehicle.
They were arrested on suspicion of possession of marijuana, possession of marijuana for sale and transportation of marijuana.
The suspects were booked into the Pinal County Adult Detention Center and are being held on a no-bond status. The vehicle was seized and paperwork will be completed to begin the forfeiture process.
![An image of shredded paper. [Pixabay]](https://www.inmaricopa.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/shredded-paper-168650_1280-100x70.jpg "Shred-A-Thon to take place tomorrow")
