U.S. Border Patrol partnering with the Arizona Department of Public Safety troopers in Operation Stonegarden arrested two U.S. citizens in different incidents leading to $214,000 worth of narcotics found.
A trooper stopped a sedan for a traffic violation Wednesday morning, U.S. Customs and Border Protection said in a news release. The driver, a 48-year-old male, gave consent to search the vehicle which resulted in 30 pounds of meth found inside.
Wednesday afternoon an 18-year-old woman was stopped by an AZDPS trooper. Consent was given to search the sedan and 22 pounds of methamphetamine and 10 pounds of heroin was discovered within the vehicle.
Both drivers were arrested for possession and transportation of illicit drugs and are facing felony charges with the Pinal County Attorney's Office, the agency said.
Operation Stonegarden, funded by the Department of Homeland Security, grants funds to law enforcement agencies for greater protection at the U.S. border.
DPS Troopers seize guns from Nevada man
A 24-year-old Nevada man was arrested after a trooper participating in Operation Stonegarden stopped his blue sedan for a traffic violation leading to five AK-47 assault rifles being seized.
A small amount of cocaine was also found in his wallet when the stop occurred on Interstate 10 near Marana, theΒ U.S. Customs and Border Protection agency said in a separate news release Friday.
The rifles, found in the trunk of the rental vehicle, were turned over to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
"Collaboration between state, local, tribal and federal law enforcement agencies has created a greater force against transnational criminal organizations in southern Arizona, disrupting illicit activities in border communities," the agency said about the ongoing operations.
