MCSO detectives seized $2 million worth of meth, marijuana

GILA BEND, Ariz. (FOX 10) -- Officials with Maricopa County Sheriff's office announced Friday its detectives, along with agents from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection working as part of the Maricopa County Drug Suppression Task Force, seized $2 million worth of drugs off the streets during an operation.

According to a statement, detectives working in the area around Gila Bend on the night of January 30 observed two trucks avoiding a border checkpoint, and drove into an uninhabited desert area with their lights off. Tire deflation devices were deployed ahead of the trucks to prevent a possible pursuit.

Four suspects fled from the trucks on foot, and three of them were later caught. The trucks, loaded with bricks of meth and marijuana, were both reported stolen, and driving with fictitious license plates. In all, over 220 pounds of meth and 3,500 pounds of marijuana were seized.

The three suspects were identified as 30-year-old Jose Jaime Garcia-Lopez, 48-year-old Yoni Ontiveros-Torres, and 46-year-old Ruben Espericueta-Jimenez. All have been booked into the 4th Avenue Jail on drug-related charges.