Over the last two weeks, local law enforcement officers disrupted human trafficking operations and seized 175 grams of methamphetamine, 2½ pounds of heroin, 28 grams of cocaine and about 22 grams of fentanyl in the form of powder and more than 100 counterfeit pills. It all took place within 35 miles of Maricopa.

Pinal County law enforcement officials are sounding the alarm after a series of recent drug trafficking arrests and a coordinated highway sting operation resulted in the seizure of narcotics, with Maricopa emerging as a hotspot.

A four-day multiagency mission known as “Operation May” was conducted between May 12 and 15, targeting smuggling activity along Interstate 10, particularly in the Casa Grande and Arizona City corridors. The Pinal County Sheriff’s Office K-9 and Anti-Smuggling Units worked alongside Homeland Security, U.S. Border Patrol and the Pinal County Attorney’s Office.

In just three days, the agencies made 116 traffic stops. Those stops netted three felony arrests, the detention of 10 alleged undocumented migrants who were turned over to federal immigration authorities and a veritable buffet of seized drugs. Among the items seized were 2½ pounds of heroin and an ounce of cocaine, with drug-sniffing dogs alerting officers in two separate cases.

“This operation demonstrates our unwavering commitment to protecting our communities from the dangers posed by criminal activity and human smuggling,” said Pinal County Attorney Brad Miller in a news release about the bust.

Just days later, Maricopa police made similar arrests of their own.

On Wednesday, police arrested 54-year-old Robert Martin during a traffic stop at the intersection of Alterra and John Wayne Parkways. According to a probable cause statement, Martin consented to a vehicle search, during which officers found a blue fanny pack containing five individually wrapped bundles of methamphetamine weighing approximately 175 grams. The bag also contained two pill bottles partially labeled with Martin’s name and holding around 100 counterfeit M30 pills, later confirmed by TruNarc testing to contain fentanyl.

According to that police report, officers also found five burnt glass pipes, two digital scales, plastic gloves and numerous small baggies that officers commonly link to drug sales. Martin was booked on five felony counts including possession and transportation of both dangerous and narcotic drugs for sale, and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Just a day later, Maricopa officers made another narcotics arrest. Gilberto Cross, 59, was arrested as part of an ongoing drug investigation near State Route 238 and Loma Road.

With a warrant in hand, officers searched Cross’s Sage Street residence in Hidden Valley later that day. According to the police report, officers seized about 14 grams of heroin and 12 grams of fentanyl. Cross was arrested and charged with possession of narcotics for sale and possession of drug paraphernalia and was booked into the Pinal County jail.

While they were separate investigations, Pinal County Prosecutor Brad Miller’s comments could apply to both Operation May and the coincident Maricopa PD narcotics busts:

“This is not the end,” said Miller. “We will continue to aggressively pursue those who attempt to exploit our highways to commit crimes that endanger Pinal County citizens. My office is committed to ensuring that criminals will be held accountable.”