Hundreds of pounds of illegal drugs, dozens of firearms and over $200,000 were seized after a multi-agency, complex drug and money laundering investigation.
Between April and November of 2024, the Phoenix Police Department Drug Enforcement Bureau’s Conspiracy Squad and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) Financial Investigations Group targeted a transnational criminal organization responsible for the importation and distribution of bulk quantities of illicit drugs and money laundering.
The investigation, dubbed Operation Double Down, began when a group of conspirators were seen allegedly transporting carloads of drugs from the Mexico border to Phoenix on a weekly or bi-weekly basis. Detectives quickly identified the suspects involved and recognized they were part of a complex, organized group transporting bulk fentanyl pills and powder, methamphetamine, heroin, and cocaine, as well as conducting money laundering activities.
“The outcome of this operation is impressive and a testament to the partnerships between local and federal police agencies and prosecutors in this community. We are stronger when we work together and our community is safer as a result,” said Phoenix Police Department Interim Chief Michael Sullivan.
The cases were later handed off to state prosecutors who worked closely with investigators to hold those individuals identified accountable for their involvement. After the operation, the Arizona Attorney General’s Office secured arrest warrants for 25 individuals identified in this operation. Investigators also seized the following during Operation Double Down:
Between April and November of 2024, the Phoenix Police Department Drug Enforcement Bureau’s Conspiracy Squad and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) Financial Investigations Group targeted a transnational criminal organization responsible for the importation and distribution of bulk quantities of illicit drugs and money laundering.
The investigation, dubbed Operation Double Down, began when a group of conspirators were seen allegedly transporting carloads of drugs from the Mexico border to Phoenix on a weekly or bi-weekly basis. Detectives quickly identified the suspects involved and recognized they were part of a complex, organized group transporting bulk fentanyl pills and powder, methamphetamine, heroin, and cocaine, as well as conducting money laundering activities.
“The outcome of this operation is impressive and a testament to the partnerships between local and federal police agencies and prosecutors in this community. We are stronger when we work together and our community is safer as a result,” said Phoenix Police Department Interim Chief Michael Sullivan.
The cases were later handed off to state prosecutors who worked closely with investigators to hold those individuals identified accountable for their involvement. After the operation, the Arizona Attorney General’s Office secured arrest warrants for 25 individuals identified in this operation. Investigators also seized the following during Operation Double Down:
- 1,700,000 suspected fentanyl pills (approximate)
- Over 26 kilograms of fentanyl powder
- Just over 24 kilograms of cocaine
- Just over 370 pounds of methamphetamine
- 13 pounds of heroin
- Nearly $210,000 in U.S. currency
- 28 firearms
- 14 vehicles
