PHOENIX — A "primary partner" in a drug trafficking organization has been arrested after transporting $200,000 cash into Phoenix to purchase cocaine.
The Arizona Attorney General reports that on September 6, 2019, multiple federal and local agencies received permission to wiretap a person believed to be the head of a drug trafficking organization in Phoenix.
Investigators believe the organization is running cocaine from Phoenix to Denver, Colorado and St Paul, Minnesota. The wiretap reportedly alerted investigators to Carlos Dionicio Lopez, 26, who they consider a "primary partner" in the organization.
On January 21, investigators received information that Lopez was driving drug proceeds down to Phoenix from Denver to pay for 16 kilos of cocaine.
DPS located and pulled over the car Lopez was driving on Interstate 17 near Anthem. Troopers reportedly found $200,000 in a hidden compartment in Lopez's car.
Lopez has been charged with money laundering.
