Following a months-long investigation, two brothers were arrested earlier this month in Phoenix on drug-related charges after authorities discovered them in possession of nearly 200 pounds of methamphetamine that was smuggled in from Mexico.
Jayro Haro-Lopez, 34, a Mexican national who has been in the U.S. illegally, and his brother Hernan Haro-Lopez, 28, of Phoenix, were charged with possession with intent to distribute, resisting arrest and unlawful flight from law enforcement. If convicted, they could face up to 10 years in prison.
The investigation and subsequent arrests were the results of a corroborative effort between U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), and the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO).
On the day of the arrests, authorities observed the brothers arrive at a storage facility in separate vehicles, then take a box from a unit rented by an unidentified woman. The box was placed in Jayro’s vehicle, and the two then left the facility, still in separate vehicles, as authorities trailed them.
Eventually, authorities initiated a traffic stop. Hernan stopped immediately, but Jayro sped away in his vehicle, causing two different car accidents in an attempt to elude authorities. Jayro then fled on foot, but was soon thereafter apprehended.
Louie Garcia, acting special agent in charge for HSI Phoenix, acknowledged the collective efforts of the three agencies and said drug smuggling is both a threat and public safety concern for the community.
Likewise, Maricopa County Sheriff Paul Penzone said keeping communities safe requires cooperation and coordination across multiple agencies and added that he’s pleased with the results of the investigation, which he called “very successful.”
[ U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement ]
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