Nearly $9 million dollars worth of drugs found in traffic stop south of Maricopa

MARICOPA, AZ - Nearly $9 million worth of illegal drugs were seized in a traffic stop just south of Maricopa, according to a Tuesday report.

A Pinal County Sheriff's Deputy attempted to stop a 2005 Nissan Armada as it was traveling northbound on State Route 347 just before 9 p.m. Friday.

When the vehicle stopped, the front seat passenger reportedly opened his door and fled on foot eastbound through the desert.

The passenger was described as a Hispanic male wearing a blue and grey striped shirt and jeans.

The driver was identified as 28-year-old Jessica Velasco of Stanfield.

Deputies could see in plain view several packages of what they believed to be illegal drugs, according to the Pinal County Sheriff's Office.

When asked about the drugs, Velasco reportedly said, "Nothing in the vehicle is mine, the vehicle belongs to my husband and he is going to be pissed, I'm not a bad guy, just did a bad thing."

The investigation revealed several individuals had smuggled the drugs from Mexico through the desert and up into Pinal County where it was loaded into the Nissan Armada for delivery to multiple locations throughout the United States, according to PCSO.

PCSO said the vehicle contained 196.9 pounds of methamphetamines and 102.65 pounds of black tar heroin.

Velasco was booked into the Pinal County Adult Detention Center for one count each of the following: possession of a dangerous drug, possession of a dangerous drug for sale, transportation of a dangerous drug, possession of a narcotic drug, possession of a narcotic drug for sale and transportation of a narcotic drug.

Velasco is being held on a $500,000 bond as of Tuesday morning.