Over the last seven months Casa Grande and Coolidge have been the scene of the largest anti-drug operation in the recent history of Pinal County, as 24 suspects were indicted in what became operation “Fertile Ground”.
Police seized large quantities of PCP, methamphetamine, crack and powder cocaine, all very dangerous illegal drugs.
“This investigation illustrates the value of combining the strengths, resources and skills of federal, state and local agencies to fight these drug trafficking networks,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge Elizabeth W. Kempshall. “DEA will use all the resources at our disposal to bring down these violent drug dealers who think they can peddle these poisons in our communities without facing justice.”
“The Pinal County Attorney’s Office and local police cannot go after the drug-lords of Mexico, but we can take a significant bite out of the local street-level networks which damage our communities and neighborhoods,” said James P. Walsh, Pinal County Attorney.
The operation was a joint effort of the Casa Grande Police Department, the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration’s Mobile Enforcement Unit (DEA-MET) and the Pinal County Attorney’s Office.
The Casa Grande Police Department led the effort to drive drug traffickers from the city.
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