News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 14, 2004

Operation Trojan Horse
DEA Phoenix Division MET Team
Navajo County Deployment

ASAC Douglas Hebert; Winslow Police Chief Steve Garnett, Lt. Kelly Clark and Sheriff Gary Butler pointing to the camera lens hidden in a toy monkey.

Dec 21--Since August 26, 2004, the DEA Phoenix Division Mobile Enforcement Team (MET) has been working in conjunction with the Navajo County Major Crimes Apprehension Team (MCAT) in targeting the various narcotic organizations operating in the Navajo County Region. Additionally, MET and MCAT have conducted numerous knock ‘n’ talk operations that were initiated from civilian complaints.

As a result of MCAT and MET’s combined efforts, officers seized and purchased 164.02 gross grams of marijuana, 143.46 gross grams of methamphetamine, 43.0 gross grams of crack cocaine, 785 gross grams of cocaine, 1.5 gross grams of heroin, Soma tablets, 3 OxyContin tablets, 60 Codeine tablets, 36 Valium tablets, 23 Vicodin tablets, approximately 20 firearms, 4 vehicles and $46,180.00 in USC. These seizures resulted in the arrest of 31 individuals.

These individuals have been identified as the major sources of supply of cocaine, methamphetamine and marijuana in the Navajo County Region. All 31 individuals arrested have been charged with various narcotic violations pertaining to Arizona Narcotic Statures:

ARS 13-3405
ARS 13-3407
ARS 13-3408

The impact of these seizures and arrests identified new sources of supplies and prevented the distribution of these dangerous and volatile drugs from entering the communities of Navajo County as well as the potential use of dangerous weapons. The impact also revealed a new threat to the community in crack cocaine distribution.

The collaborative efforts of DEA MET and MCAT led to the successful infiltration of major sources of methamphetamine, cocaine, and marijuana operating in Navajo County. Their combined investigative efforts and expertise disrupted distribution rings that supplied these drugs on a weekly basis during a six month period.

Items seized in Operation Trojan Horse

DEA Special Agent in Charge Timothy J. Landrum stated, “Their outstanding professionalism and steadfast commitment made a measurable and long-lasting impact on our local communities. This is a perfect example of cooperation by local and federal law enforcement in making our neighborhoods a safer place.”

Sheriff Gary Butler stated, “We are very grateful for the cooperation between the DEA and Navajo County Sheriff’s Office and the MCAT Task Force. “Because of the success, we look forward to future DEA and MCAT operations.”

If you have any questions or need further information, please call Public Information Officer Ramona Sanchez at (602) 664-5725.

Items seized in Operation Trojan Horse