Federal authorities say three Mexican nationals have been arrested in Arizona after a large-scale methamphetamine trafficking investigation led to the seizure of more than 133 pounds of drugs in Glendale.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Mariano Gomez Padilla, 28, Eduardo Garcia Lopez, 21, and Abel Martinez Valenzuela, 25, were taken into custody Sept. 17 and charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine.
DEA task force agents had been conducting surveillance at a Glendale apartment complex when they began following two vehicles linked to the suspects. Prosecutors say when agents tried to stop the cars, both drivers refused to yield.
Garcia Lopez allegedly abandoned his vehicle and ran but was caught after a brief chase. Gomez Padilla, who had Martinez Valenzuela as a passenger, is accused of ramming an agent’s car and two parked vehicles before fleeing on foot. Both men were later arrested.
A search of Garcia Lopez’s car uncovered about 61.75 pounds of methamphetamine. Agents also searched a nearby Ford F-250 associated with the investigation and found another 71.75 pounds, packaged similarly to the first haul.
The charge carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison and up to life, along with fines of up to $10 million.
The case is being prosecuted as part of Operation Take Back America, a federal initiative targeting drug cartels, transnational criminal organizations, and violent crime.
The DEA Phoenix East Valley Drug Enforcement Task Force and the Mesa Police Department investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Stuart Zander is handling prosecution.
Authorities emphasized that a criminal complaint is only an accusation and that all defendants remain innocent until proven guilty in court.
