Attorney General Kris Mayes announced on Mar. 18 the results of a large-scale, multi-agency drug operation that targeted criminal organizations operating in Arizona communities.
The announcement is significant because it highlights ongoing efforts to remove dangerous drugs from the streets and protect families across the state. The operation resulted in the seizure of nearly 1,750 pounds of methamphetamine, more than 113 pounds of cocaine, over 11 pounds of fentanyl in both pill and powder form, as well as heroin, marijuana, and spice. Authorities also confiscated almost two dozen firearms, more than two dozen vehicles, over $612,000 in cash, and $300,000 in cryptocurrency.
“Every gram of narcotics we take off the street is a potential overdose that doesn’t happen, an addiction that doesn’t take root, a kid who gets to keep their parent,” said Attorney General Mayes. “The results of this operation represent agencies that stayed focused on a common goal: taking dangerous drugs off Arizona streets, keeping families safe, and holding the people responsible accountable.”
The joint effort involved multiple agencies including the Arizona Attorney General’s Office, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office, High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area program (HIDTA), Surprise Police Department, Casa Grande Police Department, Buckeye Police Department, Arizona Department of Corrections Rehabilitation and Reentry, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), and Phoenix Police Department. Officials attributed the breadth of seizures to close coordination among these agencies.
“My office remains committed to working with our partners to disrupt the flow of illicit drugs into Arizona communities and dismantle the organized criminal networks responsible for trafficking them,” said Mayes.
The Arizona Attorney General’s Office will prosecute cases related to these seizures. The office addresses issues such as elder abuse and civil rights violations through its cold case unit and provides advocacy for residents statewide according to its official website. It also participates in federal lawsuits and supports initiatives like fair housing and accountability measures for social media companies according to its official website. Kris Mayes serves as Arizona’s 27th attorney general and is noted as the first mother to hold this position according to its official website.
