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Meth and heroin seized during Highway 60 traffic stop

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Meth and heroin seized during Highway 60 traffic stop

At about 11:05 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 9, the Gila County Drug, Gang and Violent Crimes Task Force and the Globe Police Department conducted a traffic stop on Highway 60, near milepost 244.

Globe police officers and task force detectives made contact with Manuel Gem Verdugo Jr., 51, of Peoria, and Phillip Barrientez Enriquez Jr., 30, of Phoenix.

During the investigation, a task force canine alerted to the vehicle.

A subsequent vehicle search resulted in seizure of 118.7 grams of methamphetamines, with a street value of $11,870.00; 31.1 grams of Heroin, with a street value of about $3,887; eight narcotic prescription pills, with a street value of $240; three grams of marijuana, with a street $60; and numerous pieces of drug paraphernalia.

As a result, Verdugo Jr. and Enriquez Jr. were arrested and booked into the Gila County Jail on identical charges. They are: transportation of a narcotic drug for sale, possession of a narcotic drug for sale, possession of a narcotic drug, transportation of a dangerous drug for sale, possession of a dangerous drug for sale, possession of a dangerous drug, possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.

“The Sheriff’s Office is committed to continuing an aggressive stance on the drug problems that impact our communities,” Gila County Sheriff J. Adam Shepherd said.

Shepherd acknowledged the Globe Police Department for its collaboration, as well as the Arizona Criminal Justice Commission for continued task force funding, which makes operations such as this possible.

Contributed by Sheriff J. Adam Shepherd Gila County Sheriff’s Office