Pinal County Sheriff’s seize over $500,000 in marijuana during traffic stop | Crime

Yesterday morning a Pinal County Sheriff’s deputy stopped a vehicle in a routine stop, after noticing a traffic violation.  The stop was made on SR 347, near milepost 181, when the deputy stepped up to the vehicle he immediately smelled marijuana. 

According to the PCSO the driver was identified as Abdul Cortes-Reyes, a 24-year-old from Sonora Mexico, and his passenger was identified as Ignacio Cienfuego-Varela, a 31-year-old also from Sonora.  The deputy stated he could see alleged marijuana bundles in plain view inside the car. 

Cortes-Reyes and Cinefuego-Varela, according to the PCSO, admitted to being in the U.S. illegally and to having marijuana in the car with them.  Both were arrested and charged with Possession of Marijuana, Possession of Marijuana for sale and Transportation of Marijuana, according to sheriff’s office officials.

Both men are being held at the Pinal County Adult Detention Center, in a no bond status. 

The vehicle and drugs were seized for processing.  The marijuana taken from the vehicle weighed over 716 pounds and was worth an estimated $537,000.