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PINAL COUNTY - Two Mexican nationals have been arrested in Pinal County for transporting marijuana.

On Wednesday, Nov. 14th around 9 a.m. a Pinal County Sheriff's Deputy stopped a 2000 Ford Expedition northbound on State Route 347 near milepost 181 on a traffic stop for a traffic violation.

The driver of the vehicle was identified as 24-year-old Abdul Cortes-Reyes of Sonora, Mexico and the passenger was identified as 31-year-old Ignacio Cienfuego-Varela, also of Sonora, Mexico.

The deputy could immediately smell a strong odor of marijuana coming from inside the vehicle. He could also see in plain view several bundles which appeared to contain marijuana.

Cortes-Reyes and Cienfuego-Varela admitted to deputies they were in the United States illegally and had marijuana. They were both placed under arrest for Possession of Marijuana, Possession of Marijuana for Sale and Transportation of Marijuana.

Both 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.

The marijuana, which was also seized, weighed a total of 716 pounds with a street value of $537,000.