Task force brings down AZ truck wash drug ring - CBS 5 - KPHO

Task force brings down AZ truck wash drug ring

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FLORENCE, AZ (CBS5) -

A Pinal County narcotics task force has broken up a methamphetamine and cocaine distribution ring that used truck washes on Interstate 10 as sale points.

The Pinal County Sheriff's Office said detectives were joined by the Eloy Police Department in the bust.

Investigators said they arrested 15 suspects in "Operation Big Rig," a month-long investigation.

Detectives served four search warrants at Flash Truck Polishing in Eloy and other at residences in Eloy and Toltec.

Eight people were arrested and charged in the drug distribution ring, including four arrested at one of the truck washes for being in the U.S. illegally, and three others during search warrants on separate outstanding warrants.

  • Kelly Bahme, 41, Eloy - Owner of Show Time Truck Polishing
  • Manuel Chacon, 40, Eloy
  • Sammie Johnson, 23, Arizona City
  • Rafael Rios, 51, Toltec Co-owner of Flash Truck Polishing
  • Ricardo Sodari, 37, Arizona City
  • Hector Soto Quintero, 44, Eloy - Co-owner of Flash Truck Polishing
  • Raquel Valenzuela, 34, Arizona City
  • Ignacio Velasquez, 27, Eloy

The suspects are facing the following charges: possession of dangerous drug, possession of a dangerous drug for sale, transportation of dangerous drug, and possession of drug paraphernalia, according to a sheriff's office spokesman.

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