Pima County Sheriff's deputies are assisting state and federal law enforcement agents to serve warrants across Tucson Thursday.
Sixteen arrests were made and a total of 32 start arrest warrants at 12 locations were served.
Investigators were working to dismantle a local drug trafficking organization suspected of distributing and selling heroin, marijuana, and various firearms.
Investigators from multiple federal and local law enforcement agencies, including U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Drug enforcement Administration, and the Pima County Sheriff’s Department participated in the raids.
According to a release, those arrested face state charges, including racketeering, distribution of narcotics for sale, procession of narcotics for sale, use of wire and electronic communication in drug-related transactions, and money laundering.
“We are tirelessly investigating and prosecuting those suspected of bringing heroin and other dangerous drugs into our communities,” said Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich. “By joining forces with local, state, and federal authorities we will continue to take down major drug trafficking operators in Arizona.”
During Thursday's raid agents seized about 2 pounds of heroin, 2 pounds of cocaine, more than half a dozen vehicles, computers, cell phones, several ledgers, and scales.
This investigation began in August 2015 when agents received information that one of the men arrested in Thursday's operation, 42-year-old Sean Dixon, was involved in drug trafficking in Tucson.
As the investigation continued, authorities uncovered evidence that linked Dixon to a drug trafficking ring responsible for transporting large amounts of heroin and marijuana in Tucson and to states on the East Coast including Maryland and Virginia.
Several of Dixon’s relatives are also charged in the case, including his wife, Pauline Dixon, 42, and his nephew, Terrence Gooden, 34.
The other Tucson residents arrested for their alleged involvement in the trafficking ring are Dixon’s nephew, Ricky Manning Jr., 35; his niece, Janeayi Manning-Qualls, 33; Raymond Pro, 39; Virgil Fleming, 45; Teresa Torres, 73; Ezekiel Jackson, 28; Robert Glaspie, Jr., 25; Enrique Estrada, 44; Andres Acedo, 36; Jennifer Ann Estrada, 38; and Rosalva Perez, 56.
The operation is still ongoing and several of the suspects remain at large.
Pima County Sheriff's Department along with other agencies are serving a search warrant @kgun9 pic.twitter.com/Qj0aqLalhY
— Priscilla KGUN9 (@PriscillaCasper) November 3, 2016
Sources say this is a possible drug bust near Silverbell Rd and Sweetwater Dr @kgun9 pic.twitter.com/XFtzgjxOq6
— Priscilla KGUN9 (@PriscillaCasper) November 3, 2016
