Member Center

Local News

2 men arrested on I-10 after deputy finds 200 pounds of pot in truck

Posted: Oct 30, 2012 3:57 PM
Updated: Oct 30, 2012 4:03 PM

 Matias Lopez
Bookmark and Share
Rating:

0.0 (0 votes)

TUCSON - Last night, two men were arrested after Pinal County Sheriff's Office deputies stopped a vehicle on I-10 for committing several traffic violations and found over 200 pounds of marijuana in plain view inside.

At about 11:10 p.m. Monday, a Pinal County Sheriff's Office Deputy Canine Handler stopped a truck heading north on I-10 near Toltec Road, according to a news release from PCSO.

While the deputy was talking to the driver, 43-year-old Matias Lopez of Eloy, and the passenger, 18-year-old Javier Rios of Mexico, he could see in plain view three bundles of what appeared to be marijuana, the release states. The bundles still had backpacking straps on them, and the deputy noticed a fourth backpack bundle in the truck's bed.

The deputy also smelled a strong odor of marijuana, the release states, and he checked the bundles to confirm they all contained marijuana. The total amount of marijuana seized was 205 pounds, worth an estimated $153,750.

Lopez and Rios were arrested for one count each of Possession of Marijuana, Possession of Marijuana for Sale and Transportation of Marijuana for Sale, the release states. Both were booked into the Pinal County Adult Detention Center for these charges. Additionally, an immigration hold was placed on Rios as he admitted he is in the United States illegally.

Sheriff Paul Babeu stated, "Secretary Janet Napolitano is responsible for America's security and last year she told Arizona law enforcement leaders the U.S. and Mexico border will never be secured. As a result of this failure, the continuous flow of humans and drugs continue to enter America. The volume of drugs coming through is increasing in Pinal County despite what she says. Last year alone, we seized 94,411 pounds of marijuana with a street value of $70,808,250. Additionally weapons are flowing across the border as a result of the Department of Justice providing them through the failed program known as Operation Fast and Furious to the very cartels law enforcement are fighting against."

Comments

KVOA.com is Social!

Most Popular

DON'T MISS THESE!

Thumbnail
FC TUCSON

Check out the latest events FC Tucson has scheduled.

Thumbnail
SEASON 4 HOPE

Help those in need this holiday season

Thumbnail
SUBMIT NEWS TIP

Click here to submit a news tip to us!

Thumbnail
NEWS 4 TUCSON ON FACEBOOK

Become a Facebook Fan!

Thumbnail
@KVOA ON TWITTER

Follow us!

Thumbnail
BECOME A MEMBER

Sign up on KVOA.com for newsletters, exclusive deals, and more!

Thumbnail
KVOA.COM LATEST CONTESTS

Win! Win! Win!

Thumbnail
KVOA MOBILE APPS

Get news, weather and more on your smartphone and tablet!

Thumbnail
TEXT ALERTS

Get texts for news, traffic, deals and more!

Thumbnail
KRISTI'S KIDS

Stories and videos with Kristi's Kids

Thumbnail
NEWS 4 TUCSON @ 4

What's happening on News 4 @ 4

Thumbnail
ADVERTISE WITH KVOA.COM

Let us help grow your business

Thumbnail
COMMUNITY CALENDAR

What's happening?

Thumbnail
KVOA PROGRAM SCHEDULE

What's on KVOA and when!

Thumbnail
CONTACT US

Contact info for our department heads

Thumbnail
FCC ONLINE PUBLIC FILE

FCC Public File of Records, Reports, and More

Thumbnail
MEET US!

KVOA's on air personalities!

Thumbnail
KVOA CAREERS

Work at News 4 Tucson

Thumbnail
RSS FEEDS

Complete feeds of all KVOA.com stories