Quarter-Ton of Meth Seized in Southern Arizona

At least 527 pounds of methamphetamine worth $7.2 million was seized in southern Arizona this past weekend during a joint investigation by local police and federal agents.

The incident began last Saturday after police in San Luis conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle observed speeding westbound on Juan Sanchez Boulevard and 10th Avenue. Police reportedly discovered 95 pounds of methamphetamine and arrested the driver identified as Angel Leon-Camberos, 26.

The San Luis Police Department contacted Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) for further follow up investigation and later developed probable cause to obtain and serve a search warrant for the residence belonging to Leon-Camberos. Investigators say they then seized an additional 432 pounds of methamphetamine, one AR-15 style rifle, a magazine, 14 pounds of high-grade marijuana, “numerous wax (marijuana extract) products,” and THC vape pens with an estimated street value of $103,930. Other items seized were packaging materials indicative of possession for sale purposes, multiple cell phones, and $15,295 cash. The total amount of methamphetamine seized related to the traffic stop and search warrant at the residence was 527.3 pounds with an estimated street value of $7.2 million, according to a U.S. Department of Homeland Security media release.

Leon-Camberos was charged with various drug and weapons offenses. The Yuma County Attorney’s Office will be handling the prosecution.

Breitbart News reported this week on the seizure of a major meth lab in Sinaloa, where an estimated $170 million in finished product and precursor chemicals were collected by Mexican security personnel. Since 2018, Mexican officials busted 20 similar labs in the state.

Robert Arce is a retired Phoenix Police detective with extensive experience working Mexican organized crime and street gangs. Arce has worked in the Balkans, Iraq, Haiti, and recently completed a three-year assignment in Monterrey, Mexico, working out of the Consulate for the United States Department of State, International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Program, where he was the Regional Program Manager for Northeast Mexico (Coahuila, Tamaulipas, Nuevo Leon, Durango, San Luis Potosi, Zacatecas.) You can follow him on Twitter. He can be reached at robertrarce@gmail.com