Drug bust 'one of the largest' in Tucson history

The Counter Narcotics Alliance is investigating a Northwest Side home that — together with a suspect vehicle — contained nearly 11,000 pounds of marijuana worth an estimated street value of $5.5 million, said Deputy Dawn Hanke, spokeswoman for Pima County Sheriff’s Department.

Three male suspects are in custody but another suspect has not been captured, Hanke said.Sheriff’s deputies went to the home, located at the 1000 block of East Orange Grove Road, after aconcerned neighbor called in a possible burglary in progress shortly after midnight, she said.

Deputies saw and attempted to stop two vehicles — a van and a Nissan Titan — that were near the home, she said. Both vehicles fled.

The van hit a median and the driver fled from the vehicle and eluded deputies, Hanke said. That person has not been located yet.

However, deputies apprehended three male suspects who were in the Titan, after deputies spiked the vehicle at the intersections of Orange Grove and North La Cañada Drive and Orange Grove and North La Cholla Boulevard, she said.

The suspects tried to flee but were captured and turned over to Counter Narcotics Alliance, Hankesaid. They are being held in custody at the Pima County Adult Detention Center on charges of drug transportation for sale, Hanke said.

Deputies found marijuana in the Titan as well as in the home, she said. The entire incident has been turned over to the Counter Narcotics Alliance.