AZMEX SPECIAL 3 MAR 2016
Note: " Five had immigration holds and three were previously released by Immigration and Customs Enforcement. "
Sheriff Joe Arpaio: drug op targeted street-level dealers, netted 102 arrests
Thursday, March 3rd 2016, 1:49 pm MST
Thursday, March 3rd 2016, 3:05 pm MST
By Tami Hoey
http://www.tucsonnewsnow.com/story/31379542/sheriff-joe-arpaio-drug-op-targeted-street-level-dealers-netted-102-arrests
PHOENIX (KPHO/KTVK) -
Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio says a large-scale drug operation by MCSO has netted 102 arrests and resulted in the seizure of hundreds of pounds of drugs.
The operation was called "No Drug Bust Too Small."
During a news conference Thursday afternoon, Arpaio said the operation targeted big dealers as well as street-level dealers. "Emphasis today is placed on the big dealers and the big drug busts," said Sheriff Arpaio. "With this operation, we have proved that small numbers add up to big trouble for our young people who are turned into drug addicts by these nickel and dime dealers. Therefore, it is important to investigate and address major sources of supply that are funneled down to street dealers who sell in small quantities."
He says for 21 of those arrested, it was their first arrest on drug charges. "They're the ones selling drugs to our kids," said Arpaio.
Arpaio held the news conference standing against a background of piles and piles of seized meth, heroin, marijuana and cocaine. "This is no small amount," he said.
According to MCSO, the amount of drugs seized equates to a nearly $6 million street value. The haul includes more than 53 pounds of heroin valued at close to $1.7 million, just recently seized, and 93 pounds of methamphetamine with a street value of $2.95 million.
Along with the massive heroin and methamphetamine seizure, the drug seizure included nearly six pounds of cocaine, more than two pounds of hashish, nearly 1700 pounds of marijuana along with plants, and crack cocaine and prescription drugs, all valued at around $1 million. A cache of 30 weapons were also seized during the operation as well as more than $169K in cash.
"All these drugs from from Mexico," he added. "Mexico better do something about it."
"U.S. and Mexican government officials are not placing the right emphasis on the drug trafficking problem," continued Arpaio. "Specifically, our President and Secretary of State have failed to apply pressure on their counterparts in Mexico to stop the flood of drugs coming into this country. Perhaps if foreign aid were withheld, we would see some kind of movement finally on this issue that affects millions of people in our country."
Arpaio says drugs are destroying the people in our country, especially our young people.
The sheriff also says the heroin epidemic has become part of the presidential debate. He mentioned that Donald Trump has also been talking about the heroin problem while out on the campaign trial.
Arpaio says that while it is "frustrating," he will continue to do everything he can to crack down on drug trafficking in Maricopa County.
"We've got to get the dealers off the streets and put them in jail," he said.
All those arrested were also booked into the 4th Avenue Jail on a variety of charges related to drugs. Among the suspects, 81 had previous felony and misdemeanor arrests for various crimes. Five had immigration holds and three were previously released by Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
END
ALSO;
MCSO arrests 102 in heroin crackdown
By: Nicole Garcia
POSTED:MAR 03 2016 02:29PM MST
UPDATED:MAR 03 2016 02:29PM MST
http://www.fox10phoenix.com/news/arizona-news/100128627-story
PHOENIX (KSAZ) - Valley emergency rooms are seeing a spike in heroin overdose patients, and the trend is getting worse and worse.
Doctors say a combination of the ease of addiction and the ease of getting heroin here in the valley is contributing to the problem.
There's no typical face of a heroin addict these days, from affluent teenagers to the chronically homeless. Heroin has consumed the lives of people from all corners of society.
Recent data from the Arizona Department of Health Services shows that 1,052 people required emergency room treatment for prescription drug overdoses in 2014. That number is up from 1,018 in the previous year. Heroin overdoses increased from 521 in 2013 to 605 in 2014.
Valley law enforcement is cracking down on heroin dealers. The Maricopa County Sheriff's Office arrested 102 people for dealing the drug.
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