Traffic stop in Vekol Valley leads to marijuana haul

A Pinal County sheriff deputy’s check on a car with no brake or tail lights in the early morning hours Friday netted 905 pounds of marijuana with a street value of $453,500.

On Friday at 3:50 a.m., a deputy attempted to stop a 2000 silver-colored Chevy Tahoe with no brake or tail lights traveling westbound on I-8 in the Vekol Valley corridor.

The deputy pulled behind the vehicle to initiate a traffic stop at milepost 149. The driver didn’t stop and drove across oncoming lanes of traffic into the desert. The deputy began to pursue the vehicle, which then suddenly stopped after driving into a wash and hitting an embankment.

The driver and passenger, both males, ran from the vehicle and into the desert.

The deputy secured the vehicle and inside discovered 15 bundles of marijuana. The marijuana weighed 905 pounds with a street value of $453,500.

An area search in the desert for the suspects was unsuccessful.

“Local law enforcement agencies continue to see the affects of an unsecured border and investigate criminals from Mexico who are involved with drug and human smuggling,” said Sheriff Paul Babeu in a press release.