Members of a large-scale drug-trafficking ring accused of smuggling cocaine and marijuana through Nogales have been arrested, officials say.
The group is suspected of smuggling over 19 kilograms of cocaine and 2,952 pounds of marijuana into the U.S. from Mexico since December 2010, according to a news release from the Arizona Attorney General's Office.
The group allegedly smuggled drugs through the Nogales Port of Entry for over 10 years using dump trucks with scrap metal, backpacks and hidden compartments in vehicles, the release said.
Authorities have seized cocaine, marijuana and cash tied to the ring seven times since December 2010. The most recent seizure happened on Sept. 29, 2011, the release said.
The drugs were kept in stash houses in Nogales, Rio Rico, Tucson and Phoenix.
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Most of the people arrested lived in Tucson or Nogales, the release said.
Search and arrest warrants were served on those apprehended and stash houses Thursday. Fifteen people were arrested, the release said.
One person remained at large Friday.
Most of the suspects have been indicted in Pima County on various charges including money laundering, illegally conducting an enterprise, transportation of cocaine and marijuana for sale, use of a wire communication or electronic communication in a drug related transaction and weapons misconduct, the release said. One person tied to the case was indicted in Pinal County.
Assistant Attorney General Nanette C. Morrow will prosecute 15 of the 16 defendants in Pima County.
Those arrested
Jose Antonio Morgan, 22, Tucson
Jose Arnoldo Morgan-Huerta, 39, in custody
Daniel Fierro Chairez, 33, Nogales.
Juan Bernardino Araiza-Mancilla, 42, Tucson
Diana Audelo Sotelo, 36, Tucson
Jose Gustavo Martinez Flores, 23
Norberto Monreal Morgan, 21, Nogales
Cesar Aduanto Gil, 32, Tucson
Luis Alfredo Angulo, 22, Nogales
Daniel Monreal Morgan, 18, Nogales
Miguel Garcia, 24, Tucson
Modesta Solano, 41, Tucson
Jesus Cocoba-Torres, 23
Mario Carrazco, 30
Jose Fernando Huerta Beltran
Contact reporter Veronica Cruz at vcruz@azstarnet.com or 573-4224.
