AZMEX UPDATE 19 APR 2016
PCSO arrests suspected drug smuggler, 4 bundles of pot seized
Posted: Apr 19, 2016 9:08 AM MST
Updated: Apr 19, 2016 9:08 AM MST
By Phil Benson
http://www.azfamily.com/story/31762655/pcso-arrests-suspected-drug-smuggler-4-bundles-of-pot-seized?autostart=true
FLORENCE, AZ (KPHO/KTVK) -
A suspected drug smuggler was arrested and 167 pounds of marijuana seized during a traffic stop in Pinal County Saturday night.
Four other smugglers dressed in camouflaged clothing ran from the vehicle and got away.
A sheriff's deputy stopped the pickup at 7:55 p.m. after seeing the truck run a stop sign and operate up to 15 mph over the speed limit on Highway 84 northbound from Interstate 8.
"The driver that was arrested told a detective that he picked up the four smugglers and marijuana on Interstate 8 just prior to being stopped by the deputy," Pinal County Sheriff Paul Babeu said.
There were no backup deputies available to look for the occupants who fled, Babeu said.
"The deputy found four large bundles of marijuana in the bed of the truck totaling 167 pounds," Babeu said.
The driver, Odiel Alvarez-Moreno, 21, of Phoenix, stayed with the vehicle and was taken into custody.
He is being held in the Pinal County Jail awaiting felony charges for transporting marijuana and possession of marijuana for sale.
Babeu said the pot is believed to have been smuggled into the county from Mexico.
END
Nogales traffic stop leads to discovery of 600 pounds of marijuana
Monday, April 18th 2016, 11:17 am MST
Monday, April 18th 2016, 12:49 pm MST
By John Ames, Digital Content Executive Producer
http://www.tucsonnewsnow.com/story/31753342/nogales-traffic-stop-leads-to-discovery-of-600-pounds-of-marijuana
NOGALES, AZ (Tucson News Now) -
Police in Nogales arrested an 18-year-old man after more than 600 pounds of marijuana were discovered in the car he was driving on Saturday, April 16.
According to a news release from the Nogales Police Department, the man from Nogales, Sonora, Mexico tried to flee on foot after NDP officers assisting Homeland Security Investigations pulled over the station wagon he was driving on Mastick Way near the Mariposa Clinic.
The man was taken into custody without incident at the Fast Trip Convenience Store.
END
Note: As always, it is about illegal immigrants. Legal immigrants don't have the problems.
Immigrant advocates in Tucson rally in support of DAPA
Monday, April 18th 2016, 3:36 pm MST
Tuesday, April 19th 2016, 10:58 am MST
By Barbara Grijalva, Reporter
http://www.tucsonnewsnow.com/story/31755770/tucson-immigrant-advocates-rally-in-support-of-dapa
TUCSON, AZ (Tucson News Now) -
Tucson immigrants rights groups are hoping the United States Supreme Court rules in favor of the Obama Administration's actions on immigration.
Millions of undocumented immigrants are awaiting the court's decision, including thousands here in Arizona.
On Monday, April 18, the eight justices heard 90 minutes of arguments on the deferred deportation programs - Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) and the Deferred Action for Parents of Americans and Lawful Permanent Residents (DAPA).
Chief Justice John Roberts asked questions suggesting he could side with the president if there is a small change in the proposed programs that could protect 4.5 million undocumented immigrants from deportation and make them eligible to work in the U.S.
Arizona is among 26 states suing to stop those programs. A decision is expected by June.
Immigrant advocates gathered at Southside Presbyterian Church, long a supporter of immigrants in the United States.
The church hosted an event that coincided with other similar events across the country in support of President Obama's actions to shield certain undocumented immigrants from deportation.
Supporters called it a "moral imperative" that families be kept together through DAPA. These are families in which the children are U.S. citizens or permanent residents.
A Tucson woman who said she came to the United States 16 years ago in search of a better life said her greatest fear is that she will be deported and be separated from her son who was born in the U.S.
"I don't want that to ever happen. I don't think any mother would want anything like that to happen. It's very hard," Karla Neyoy said through a translator.
"It is sinful, just plain sinful and wrong to advance policies and rhetoric that criminalize fathers, that persecute mothers and that traumatizes children. So today we want to send a strong message to the Supreme Court to uphold the president's actions and to protect millions from deportation," Southside Presbyterian Church Pastor Alison Harrington said.
If the high court sides with the Obama Administration, DAPA would protect an estimated 4.5 million people from deportation.
If the court decides against the administration, DAPA does not go into effect.
The fate of President Obama's immigration programs could rest on two words that are in the executive orders, "Lawful Presence."
Arizona and the other states suing the administration say this phrase gives the immigrants affected by these programs more rights than federal law allows.
The administration, however, is arguing there's an easy fix. Just cross out the words "Lawful Presence." The president's lawyers said you can get rid of these words and still keep the programs.
The states say it is not that simple. And there's another issue to consider.
The court still has only eight justices after the death of Antonin Scalia. That raises the possibility of a tie vote, meaning a lower court ban on the president's plan would remain in place.
The key justices to watch are Chief Justice John Roberts, and Justice Anthony Kennedy who have been swing votes in the past.
One or both of them could side with the court's liberal wing, meaning the president's programs would go through.
Again, a decision is expected by June.
end
MCSO records one of Arizona's largest marijuana manufacturing busts in history
KTAR.COM | April 19, 2016 @ 5:58 pm
http://ktar.com/story/1027845/mcso-records-one-of-arizonas-largest-marijuana-manufacturing-busts-in-history/
Some of the seized marijuana plants are shown. (Maricopa County Sheriff's Office Photo)
PHOENIX — One of the largest illegal marijuana manufacturing rings in Arizona history has been dismantled, the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office said Tuesday.
In a release, the agency said the operation — which began in 2013 — was disguised as a medical marijuana growing service. However, unlike a dispensary, it allegedly did not conduct background checks, pay any associated taxes or fees and did not adhere to other legal restrictions.
"This is a major operation making millions of dollars," Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio said in the release.
MCSO estimated the operation near 40th and Washington streets had between 600 and 1,000 marijuana plants. It would produce about 2,400 pounds of pot per year — plus additional hashish — and brought in about $7 million annually.
The agency said odors from the operation could be smelled as far away as 500 yards.
In addition to the Phoenix site, search warrants were also served in Scottsdale, Fountain Hills and other places in Phoenix. Overall, 20 weapons, numerous narcotics and more than $100,000 in cash were seized.
Charges in the case of forthcoming, but the sheriff's office said five people have been arrested. It is believed as many as 25 people were involved.
The bust was carried out by several agencies, including several Valley police departments and the Drug Enforcement Agency.
end
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