DEA and Tempe Police Announce Results of Operation Crank Call

Over 203 Arrests; 435 pounds of Methamphetamine; $7.8 Million dollars in cash; and multiple high-powered weapons linked to drug smuggling organization PHOENIX A 15-month long investigation has resulted in the culmination of an extensive trafficking cell associated with the Sinaloa Cartel headed by Joaquin El Chapo Guzman and Ismael El Mayo Zambada-Garcia. Tempe Police Detectives initiated the investigation after a Tempe Police Patrol Officer proactively contacted a subject upon observing an illegal drug transaction take place in his patrol area. Both subjects were arrested; one of the subjects was later identified as a delivery driver for a drug trafficking organization (DTO) that delivered methamphetamine to several customers in Tempe, as well as other customers residing in Maricopa County. Based on the information from the Patrol Officers investigation, Detectives from the Tempe Police Special Investigations Bureau (SIB), Special Agents from the Phoenix Division DEA Strike Force Group 2, Prosecutors from Maricopa County Attorneys Office and Attorney General Office initiated a joint undercover investigation into the DTO. Initially, Tempe Police detectives were able to identify local drug dealers in Tempe, Mesa, Phoenix, Chandler and Avondale. Tempe Police Detectives received information that the Phoenix DEA was investigating common elements of the DTO, and the joint investigation, dubbed Operation Crank Call was initiated. Operation Crank Call deals another significant blow to the drug trafficking organizations that continue to try and make the Phoenix Metropolitan area a primary hub of drug distribution, said DEA Acting Special Agent in Charge, Doug Coleman. By dismantling this group, DEA and our partners have taken large quantities of drugs, millions of dollars in drug trafficker assets, and powerful weapons off our streets. DEA and our partners will continue to do everything in our power to bring to justice those who try to poison our communities." The investigation resulted in the following: * 203 Arrests * 43 Search Warrants * 44 Firearms * 7.8 Million dollars in cash * 650 Pounds of Marijuana * 435 Pounds of Methamphetamine * 123 Pounds of Cocaine * 4.5 Pounds of Heroin Assistance and support for the investigation were provided by the Arizona Department of Public Safety, Maricopa County Sheriff's Office, Phoenix Police Department, Avondale Police Department, and Gila River Police Department.